Watson Mill Pond Dam

FIFTEEN MILE CREEK· Emanuel, Georgia· Built 1880· Earth· 15 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Watson Mill Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1880 and is 146 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 15 ft (taller than 20.3% in GA)
Dam Length750 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.5K acre-ft
Surface Area412 acres
Drainage Area42,000 sq mi
Year Completed1880 (146 years old)
NID IDGA01258

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 24, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

GEORGIA DNR STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES DIVISION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson Mill Pond Dam?

Watson Mill Pond 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 Watson Mill Pond Dam?

Watson Mill Pond Dam is owned by GEORGIA DNR STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES DIVISION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watson Mill Pond Dam built?

Watson Mill Pond Dam was completed in 1880, making it 146 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 Watson Mill Pond Dam?

Watson Mill Pond 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 Watson Mill Pond Dam?

Watson Mill Pond Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Watson Mill Pond Dam last inspected?

Watson Mill Pond Dam was last inspected on January 24, 2017. 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.