Banks Lake Dam

MILL CREEK· Lanier, Georgia· Built 1930· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Banks Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 20.3% in GA)
Dam Length360 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.5K acre-ft
Surface Area700 acres
Drainage Area6,000 sq mi
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDGA03630

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: March 10, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

GA DOT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Banks Lake Dam?

Banks Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Banks Lake Dam?

Banks Lake Dam is owned by GA DOT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Banks Lake Dam built?

Banks Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Banks Lake Dam?

Banks Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Banks Lake Dam?

Banks Lake Dam has a dam height of 15 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Banks Lake Dam last inspected?

Banks Lake Dam was last inspected on March 10, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.