Amber Lake Dam dam
Amber Lake Dam
Amber Lake Dam, also known as the Proposed Q.I. Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Free Home, Cherokee, Georgia. Built in 1999 and standing at a height of 32 feet, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam has a storage capacity of 224 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 10 acres, with a drainage area of 230 square miles.
Managed by the GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM under the Georgia state regulatory agency, Amber Lake Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed as being in satisfactory condition. It has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and undergoes inspections every 2 years to ensure its safety and structural integrity. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with emergency action plans to address any potential risks and emergencies that may arise.
Amber Lake Dam offers a picturesque spot for outdoor recreation and serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and water resource management in the area. With its serene surroundings and vital role in water storage and management, this dam is a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resources and climate issues 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 Amber Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 101 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 81 cfs | → |
| Etowah River At Canton | 353 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 636 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Alpharetta | 33 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Amber Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Van Pugh North Park
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Sawnee
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Rocky Ford Campsite
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
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 Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
Track Amber 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 Amber Lake Dam
Where does the data for Amber 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 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 Amber Lake Dam.