Berkeley Lake Dam

Unknown· Gwinnett, Georgia· Built 1948· Earth· 78 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Berkeley Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 78 ft (taller than 98.9% in GA)
Dam Length885 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.0K acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Drainage Area760 sq mi
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDGA05700

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

City of Berkeley Lake

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Berkeley Lake Dam?

Berkeley Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Berkeley Lake Dam?

Berkeley Lake Dam is owned by City of Berkeley Lake (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Berkeley Lake Dam built?

Berkeley Lake Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Berkeley Lake Dam?

Berkeley 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 Berkeley Lake Dam?

Berkeley Lake Dam has a dam height of 78 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.

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.