Buena Vista Lake Dam

U· DeKalb, Georgia· Earth· 29 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Buena Vista Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. 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 29 ft (taller than 73.2% in GA)
Dam Length377 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area334 sq mi
Year Modified2007
NID IDGA01333

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
Last Inspection: March 19, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

DeKalb County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buena Vista Lake Dam?

Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista Lake Dam?

Buena Vista Lake Dam is owned by DeKalb County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Buena Vista Lake Dam?

Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista Lake Dam?

Buena Vista Lake Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Buena Vista Lake Dam last inspected?

Buena Vista Lake Dam was last inspected on March 19, 2019. 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.