Lawson Lake Dam dam
Lawson Lake Dam
Lawson Lake Dam is a private structure located in Habersham, Georgia, managed by the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. This Earth-type dam stands at 32 feet high and spans 225 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 314 acre-feet. While the dam has a low hazard potential, it is categorized as having a moderate risk level, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management.
Despite its lack of state regulation, Lawson Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections every 5 years, with the last assessment conducted in August 2017. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, posing minimal risks to downstream areas. While its condition remains unrated, the dam's risk assessment highlights the importance of implementing effective risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure for nearby communities and the environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lawson Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of infrastructure management and environmental stewardship. With its picturesque location and vital role in water storage, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and natural resource conservation. By staying informed about the state of Lawson Lake Dam and advocating for responsible dam maintenance practices, enthusiasts can contribute to sustainable water management efforts in Georgia and beyond.
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 Lawson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tallulah River Ab Powerhouse | 39 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Leaf | 143 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Cornelia | 262 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 203 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 57 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Rabun Road Rabun County
- Stephens County
- Mullins Ford Landing Road 205, Westminster
- Choestoea Road Oconee County
- Mountain Shadows Drive White County
- Tugaloo Point Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Toccoa Falls College Rv Park
- Lake Yonah County Park
- Tallulah Gorge State Park
- Rabun Beach
- Pear Tree Hill Group Camp
- Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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)
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
- Earl's Ford To Route 76 (Section 3)
Track Lawson 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 Lawson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lawson 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 Low 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 Lawson Lake Dam.