Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam dam
Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam
Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam, located in Roswell, Georgia, is a crucial structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1973 by Byrne-Helton & Associates, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet, with a hydraulic height of 22 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 28.5 acres, drawing water from the Sweat Mountain Creek for its reservoir.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its uncontrolled spillway and uncontrolled outlet gates. The dam's drainage area spans 2333 acres, making it imperative to monitor its risk management measures closely. The structure is regulated by the Georgia SAFE DAMS PROGRAM, which conducts regular inspections every two years to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and environmental stewardship. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human recreation and the preservation of natural water resources in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As efforts to mitigate risks and improve emergency preparedness continue, Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in safeguarding our communities and ecosystems.
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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Below Morgan Falls Dam | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Sope Creek Near Marietta | 9 cfs | → |
| Noonday Creek At Hawkins Store Rd | 7 cfs | → |
| Noonday Creek At Shallowford Road | 14 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Above Roswell | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Alpharetta | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam.
Boat launches
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- Riveredge Lane Northwest Sandy Springs
- West Palisades Vinings
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Payne - Allatoona Lake
- Victoria - Allatoona Lake
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
- Clark Creek South - Allatoona Lake
- Clark Creek North - Allatoona Lake
Fishing spots
Track Loch Highland Lake (Lower) 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam
Where does the data for Loch Highland Lake (Lower) 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 High 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam.