Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam

Sweat Mountain Creek· Cobb, Georgia· Built 1973· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 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 28 ft (taller than 69.6% in GA)
Dam Length390 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage560 acre-ft
Normal Storage288 acre-ft
Surface Area29 acres
Drainage Area2,333 sq mi
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
Year Modified1994
NID IDGA03866

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: February 9, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: GA-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

Cobb County Board of Commissioners;Loch Highland Homeowners Association

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam is owned by Cobb County Board of Commissioners;Loch Highland Homeowners Association (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam built?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam last inspected?

Loch Highland Lake (Lower) Dam was last inspected on February 9, 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.