Petit Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Petit Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 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 | 126 ft (taller than 99.8% in GA) |
| Dam Length | 908 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 7.5K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4.6K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 105 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,000 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
| NID ID | GA00685 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Big Canoe Corporation
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Petit Lake Dam?
Petit 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 Petit Lake Dam?
Petit Lake Dam is owned by Big Canoe Corporation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Petit Lake Dam built?
Petit Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Petit Lake Dam?
Petit 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 Petit Lake Dam?
Petit Lake Dam has a dam height of 126 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 Petit Lake Dam last inspected?
Petit Lake Dam was last inspected on January 25, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.