Pritchard Lake Dam dam
Pritchard Lake Dam
Pritchard Lake Dam, located in Union City, Georgia, was completed in 1959 by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and is primarily used for recreational purposes. The earth dam stands at a height of 24.2 feet and has a hydraulic height of 21.5 feet, with a length of 170 feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently classified as being in "Not Rated" condition.
Although the dam is not state regulated, it is inspected regularly, with the last inspection conducted in May 2017. The dam's maximum storage capacity is 117 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. The surface area of the reservoir created by the dam is 8.7 acres, with a drainage area of 125 acres. With an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Pritchard Lake Dam an interesting subject of study, given its unique design features and recreational purpose. The dam's location in Fulton County, Georgia, its low hazard potential, and moderate risk assessment provide a fascinating case for understanding how such structures are managed and maintained. This information serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of water management, infrastructure, and environmental conservation.
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 Pritchard Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Near Fairburn | 1,290 cfs | → |
| South River At Forest Park Road | 15 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Below Austell | 105 cfs | → |
| Utoy Creek At Great Southwest Pkwy Nr Atlanta | 10 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 42 cfs | → |
| Intrenchment Creek Near Atlanta | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pritchard Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- Hooch Boat Ramp
- 1124 Peachtree City
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
Campgrounds
- Cochran Mill County Park
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Mcintosh Reserve Park
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park
Fishing spots
- Jester Creek
- Clayton County International Park
- Padgett Lake
- George H Sparks Reservoir
- Lake Starling
- Buena Vista Lake
Track Pritchard 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 Pritchard Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pritchard 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 Pritchard Lake Dam.