Smythe Lake Dam

MCCLAIN BRANCH· Dade, Georgia· Built 1975· Earth· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Smythe Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 65.9% in GA)
Dam Length489 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage79 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge79 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDGA02351

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: December 21, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

John and Deborah Pratt David and Terri Bain

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Smythe Lake Dam?

Smythe Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Smythe Lake Dam?

Smythe Lake Dam is owned by John and Deborah Pratt David and Terri Bain (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Smythe Lake Dam built?

Smythe Lake Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Smythe Lake Dam?

Smythe 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 Smythe Lake Dam?

Smythe Lake Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Smythe Lake Dam last inspected?

Smythe Lake Dam was last inspected on December 21, 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.