J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam dam
J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam
The J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam in Fayetteville, Georgia, is a crucial water supply structure owned by the local government and regulated by the GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM. Completed in 1984, this earth dam stands at a height of 42.5 feet and spans a length of 1400 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 4090 acre-feet and a normal storage of 2650 acre-feet. The reservoir serves as the primary source of water for the surrounding area, drawing from Shoal Creek and providing essential resources for the community.
Designed by Robert & Company, the J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in January 2016. The dam is situated in Clayton County, Georgia, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam continues to operate effectively in meeting the water supply needs of the region while maintaining a focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
As a key infrastructure project for water resource management in Georgia, the J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam represents a critical link in the local water supply chain. With its earth construction and stone core, the dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the careful planning and maintenance efforts that go into ensuring the continued functionality and safety of this essential piece of infrastructure in the region.
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 J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 114 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 30 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 127 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 25 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 794 cfs | → |
| South River At Forest Park Road | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam .
Boat launches
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- 1124 Peachtree City
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
Campgrounds
- Cochran Mill County Park
- High Falls State Park
- Indian Springs State Park
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
Fishing spots
- Padgett Lake
- Griffin City Reservoir
- Jester Creek
- Clayton County International Park
- Chapel Hill Park
- Buena Vista Lake
Track J.W. Smith Reservoir 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 J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for J.W. Smith Reservoir 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 J.W. Smith Reservoir Dam .