Hamilton Mill Lake Dam dam
Hamilton Mill Lake Dam
Hamilton Mill Lake Dam in Gwinnett, Georgia, stands as a private earth dam primarily designated for recreation purposes. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam reaches a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and undetermined hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment remains moderate.
Located within the Mobile District of Georgia, Hamilton Mill Lake Dam has not undergone recent modifications or assessments. The last inspection in July 2016 deemed its condition unrated, with an inspection frequency of every five years. While the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are unlisted, its moderate risk level indicates a need for ongoing monitoring and potentially updated safety protocols to ensure its continued stability.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hamilton Mill Lake Dam presents a unique case study in recreational dam management within the state of Georgia. While its purpose and design align with the local landscape, the dam's maintenance and risk assessment could benefit from further attention to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure the safety of nearby communities. As a privately owned structure, the dam's future inspections and emergency preparedness will be crucial in maintaining its integrity and protecting the surrounding environment.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Hamilton Mill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 1 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River At Fence Road | 1 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Near Lawrenceville | 8 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River At New Hope Road | 16 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Suwanee Creek At Suwanee | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamilton Mill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Van Pugh North Park
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
Campgrounds
- James Shackleford County Park
- Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
- Fort Yargo State Park
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Old Federal - Lake Lanier
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Lloyd Shoals Dam On Lake Jackson To Georgia State Highway 16
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
Track Hamilton Mill Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Hamilton Mill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hamilton Mill Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Undetermined hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Hamilton Mill Lake Dam.