Masseys Lake Dam dam
Masseys Lake Dam
Masseys Lake Dam in Barrow, Georgia, is a privately owned structure designed by C A RUTLEDGE for recreational purposes. Completed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 81 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 7 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Masseys Lake Dam has not been inspected since 1989 and is currently in "Not Rated" condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and outlet gates, with no associated structures or regulatory agencies overseeing its operation. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide recreational opportunities for the community around Winder, Georgia, under the ownership of a private entity.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Masseys Lake Dam can appreciate its historical significance as a recreational feature in the region. While the dam's condition assessment is not rated, its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment suggest a relatively stable structure. As the dam remains privately owned and not state-regulated, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring aging infrastructure for both safety and environmental preservation in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Masseys Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachee River At Fence Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River At New Hope Road | 19 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 1 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 139 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Near Lawrenceville | 8 cfs | → |
| Brushy Fork Creek At Beaver Road | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Masseys Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Van Pugh North Park
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Ccc Camp Loop Morgan County
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Fort Yargo State Park
- James Shackleford County Park
- Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Old Federal - Lake Lanier
- River Forks - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Lloyd Shoals Dam On Lake Jackson To Georgia State Highway 16
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Georgia State Highway 16 To East Juliette Dam
- Nf Boundary To Glenwood Springs/Lake Sinclair
- 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)
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
Track Masseys 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 Masseys Lake Dam
Where does the data for Masseys 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 Masseys Lake Dam.