Sylvan Lake Dam

BEAR BRANCH· Houston, Georgia· Built 1964· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Sylvan Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 9.4% in GA)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage35 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area1,050 sq mi
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDGA00240

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: January 1, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Sylvan Recreation Inc

Private

Nearby Dams

Prickett Lake Dam

Houston, GA

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Griffin Lake Dam

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Low Hazard 14 ft

Mossy Lake Dam

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Smith Lake Dam

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Kersey Lake Dam

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Lost Lake Dam

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Talton Pond

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Perdue Lake Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sylvan Lake Dam?

Sylvan 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 Sylvan Lake Dam?

Sylvan Lake Dam is owned by Sylvan Recreation Inc (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sylvan Lake Dam built?

Sylvan Lake Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Sylvan Lake Dam?

Sylvan 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 Sylvan Lake Dam?

Sylvan Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Sylvan Lake Dam last inspected?

Sylvan Lake Dam was last inspected on January 1, 2018. 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.