Upper Cowart Lake Dam dam
Upper Cowart Lake Dam
Upper Cowart Lake Dam in Fulton County, Georgia, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management for recreational purposes. This private dam, constructed primarily for recreational use, boasts an impressive earth core design with a buttress foundation. With a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 17 feet, the dam serves to create a picturesque lake with a surface area of 6 acres. Despite its relatively low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its condition, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Situated in the city of BEN HILL, Upper Cowart Lake Dam's primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities is evident in its design and location. With a maximum storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and a normal storage of 48 acre-feet, the dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. While the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction and is not subject to regular inspections or permitting, its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates suggest a need for careful management to prevent potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Although the exact year of completion and detailed structural information are not provided, Upper Cowart Lake Dam remains an essential feature for water and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural resources. With its idyllic setting and recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship in the management of water resources.
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 Upper Cowart Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Utoy Creek At Great Southwest Pkwy Nr Atlanta | 10 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Below Austell | 105 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Fairburn | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Near Austell | 86 cfs | → |
| Proctor Creek At Hortense Way | 5 cfs | → |
| Nickajack Creek At Us 78/278 | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Cowart Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hooch Boat Ramp
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
- West Palisades Vinings
- Riveredge Lane Northwest Sandy Springs
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- 1124 Peachtree City
Campgrounds
- Cochran Mill County Park
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
- Mcintosh Reserve Park
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Fishing spots
Track Upper Cowart 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 Upper Cowart Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Cowart 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 Upper Cowart Lake Dam.