Watson Road Lake Dam dam
Watson Road Lake Dam
Watson Road Lake Dam in Forsyth, Georgia is a privately owned structure regulated by the GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM. This Earth-type dam stands at 28 feet high and has a maximum storage capacity of 33 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2 acres and a hazard potential rated as high, this dam is deemed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in January 2016. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated contact information.
Located in the Mobile District, Watson Road Lake Dam serves as a critical water resource for the surrounding area. The dam's purpose, design, and associated structures remain unspecified in the available data. However, its importance in water storage and management is evident through its state-regulated status and inspection frequency of once every two years. The dam's presence in the region highlights the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, as it embodies both the potential benefits and risks associated with man-made structures in a changing climate.
As an Earth-type dam with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Watson Road Lake Dam represents a complex engineering feat with significant implications for water flow and flood management in the region. The dam's condition, hazard potential, and risk assessment underscore the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and functionality of this vital water resource infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Watson Road Lake Dam serves as a case study in the ongoing challenges and opportunities of managing water resources in a dynamic and uncertain climate.
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 Watson Road Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 95 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 636 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 6 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 83 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 3 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watson Road Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Van Pugh North Park
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Sawnee
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Paradise Valley Resort & Club
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
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
Track Watson Road 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 Watson Road Lake Dam
Where does the data for Watson Road 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 High 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 Watson Road Lake Dam.