Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam dam
Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam
Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam, located in Commerce, Georgia, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate considerations in recreational infrastructure. Built in 1989 by designer GUTHRIE, this private dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for visitors to enjoy the surrounding beauty of Jackson County. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 300 feet, the dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 91 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities on its 4-acre surface area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the latest one conducted in June 2016. The dam's condition assessment remains unrated, reflecting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the dam currently operates with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, its risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, highlighting the importance of implementing risk management measures to mitigate potential threats and safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam serves as a fascinating case study in the intersection of human engineering and natural landscapes. As a vital component of the local ecosystem, this earth dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also underscores the crucial role of sustainable water management practices in preserving the beauty and functionality of our natural surroundings. With a commitment to regular inspections and risk assessment, this dam exemplifies the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 118 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 60 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 107 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 1 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Cornelia | 262 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River At Fence Road | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Fort Yargo State Park
- Victoria Bryant State Park
- Lake Russell Recreation Area
- Lake Russell
- Laurel Park - Lake Lanier
- River Forks - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
Track Montgomery Shores Upper 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 Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam
Where does the data for Montgomery Shores Upper 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 Montgomery Shores Upper Lake Dam.