Beaver Lake Dam dam
Beaver Lake Dam
Located in Buffington, Georgia, Beaver Lake Dam stands as a testament to the power of engineering and conservation. Built in 1962 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this private dam serves as a primary source of recreation for the surrounding area. With a height of 28.1 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 106.4 acre-feet, Beaver Lake Dam provides a tranquil oasis for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
The dam's primary purpose of recreation is reflected in its design, classified as an earth dam with a buttress core type. Despite its low hazard potential, Beaver Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections every five years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, allowing for the natural flow of water in times of excess, while its emergency action plan and risk assessment showcase a commitment to proactive management and conservation.
As visitors explore Beaver Lake Dam's 8.3-acre surface area and take in the picturesque surroundings of Cherokee County, Georgia, they can appreciate the careful balance of nature and human intervention that sustains this vital water resource. With Barry Loudermilk representing the area in Congress, the continued preservation of Beaver Lake Dam serves as a shining example of responsible stewardship in safeguarding our environment for future generations.
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 Beaver Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Canton | 357 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Alpharetta | 35 cfs | → |
| Noonday Creek At Shallowford Road | 16 cfs | → |
| Noonday Creek At Hawkins Store Rd | 10 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 81 cfs | → |
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beaver Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Overlook Drive 1 163, 30102
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
- Victoria - Allatoona Lake
- Payne - Allatoona Lake
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Sawnee
- Upper Stamp Creek - Allatoona Lake
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 In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
Track Beaver 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 Beaver Lake Dam
Where does the data for Beaver 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 Beaver Lake Dam.