Etowah River 1 dam
Etowah River 1
Etowah River 1, located in Forsyth, Georgia, is a vital flood risk reduction structure managed by the local government and supported by the USDA NRCS. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at 48 feet tall and stretches 475 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 1613 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 237 acre-feet and a drainage area of 6.1 square miles, the dam serves as a crucial component in managing water flow and preventing flooding in the area.
The dam's spillway, measuring 150 feet in width, is uncontrolled, allowing excess water to safely pass through when water levels rise. Despite its high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the condition assessment of Etowah River 1 is currently not available, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in flood risk reduction. As an essential structure in protecting the surrounding community from potential water-related disasters, Etowah River 1 plays a significant role in safeguarding the environment and residents of Hightower and its neighboring areas.
With its strategic location on Brewton Creek and its maximum discharge capacity of 1610 cubic feet per second, Etowah River 1 exemplifies the collaborative efforts between local government, federal agencies, and the community to manage water resources effectively and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Etowah River 1 is essential in promoting sustainable water management practices and ensuring the resilience of our infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Etowah River 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 95 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 83 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 636 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 6 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 Etowah River 1.
Boat launches
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Morrison Moore Parkway East Dahlonega
Campgrounds
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Paradise Valley Resort & Club
- Sawnee
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- War Hill - 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
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
Track Etowah River 1 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 Etowah River 1
Where does the data for Etowah River 1 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 Etowah River 1.