Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2 dam
Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2
Amicalola Creek WS Str # 2, also known as Lake Laurel Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Dawsonville, Georgia with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Built in 1960 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet and spans 422 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 1227 acre-feet, it serves to mitigate the potential hazards posed by its moderate risk assessment.
Despite its low hazard potential, Amicalola Creek WS Str # 2 is currently assessed to be in poor condition based on a 2016 inspection, highlighting the need for potential maintenance and rehabilitation efforts. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a drainage area of 2841 acres and a normal storage capacity of 179 acre-feet. The structure's location within the Amicalola Creek sub-watershed makes it a crucial component in managing water resources and climate impacts in the region.
As a regulated and permitted state structure under the jurisdiction of the GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM, Amicalola Creek WS Str # 2 plays a vital role in safeguarding the local community from flood risks. With its historical significance dating back to over six decades, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to balance water resource management and climate resilience in Georgia's evolving landscape.
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 Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 79 cfs | → |
| Fausett Creek Near Talking Rock | 3 cfs | → |
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 97 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 131 cfs | → |
| Chestatee River Near Dahlonega | 119 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2.
Boat launches
- Morrison Moore Parkway East Dahlonega
- Gilmer County
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Cove Road Murray County
Campgrounds
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Rocky Ford Campsite
- Amicalola Mountain
- Frank Gross Recreation Area
- Frank Gross
- 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
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
Track Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2 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 Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2
Where does the data for Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2 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 Amicalola Creek Ws Str # 2.