Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam

SISSON CREEK· Gilmer, Georgia· Built 1967· Earth· 46 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction State Government

Key Takeaway

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 46 ft (taller than 94.9% in GA)
Dam Length231 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage429 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area909 sq mi
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDGA02192

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 1, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

Gilmer County Board of Commissoners;Limestone Valley SWCD

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 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 Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam is owned by Gilmer County Board of Commissoners;Limestone Valley SWCD (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam built?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam has a dam height of 46 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 Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam last inspected?

Ellijay River W/S Str. #11 Dam was last inspected on March 1, 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.