Lake Dow Dam

Nails Creek· Henry, Georgia· Built 1974· Earth· 36 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Dow Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 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 36 ft (taller than 88.1% in GA)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area110 acres
Drainage Area2,194 sq mi
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDGA01979

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: January 27, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

Lake Dow Estates Property Owner's Association, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Dow Dam?

Lake Dow 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 Lake Dow Dam?

Lake Dow Dam is owned by Lake Dow Estates Property Owner's Association, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Dow Dam built?

Lake Dow Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Lake Dow Dam?

Lake Dow 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 Lake Dow Dam?

Lake Dow Dam has a dam height of 36 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 Lake Dow Dam last inspected?

Lake Dow Dam was last inspected on January 27, 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.