Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam

CORNISH CREEK· Newton, Georgia· Built 1991· Earth· 47 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1991 and is 35 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 47 ft (taller than 95.1% in GA)
Dam Length1,600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage18.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage12.0K acre-ft
Surface Area820 acres
Drainage Area25 sq mi
Year Completed1991 (35 years old)
NID IDGA05174

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 14, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

Newton County Board of Commissioners

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam?

Cornish Creek Reservoir 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 Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam?

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam is owned by Newton County Board of Commissioners (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam built?

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam was completed in 1991, making it 35 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 Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam?

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam?

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Cornish Creek Reservoir Dam was last inspected on March 14, 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.