W.J. Wilson Lake Dam

Ben Hill, Georgia· Built 1956· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

W.J. Wilson Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 32.5% in GA)
Dam Length765 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage162 acre-ft
Normal Storage97 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area218 sq mi
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDGA02940

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: October 18, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

W.J. Wilson Jr.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of W.J. Wilson Lake Dam?

W.J. Wilson 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 W.J. Wilson Lake Dam?

W.J. Wilson Lake Dam is owned by W.J. Wilson Jr. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was W.J. Wilson Lake Dam built?

W.J. Wilson Lake Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 W.J. Wilson Lake Dam?

W.J. Wilson 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 W.J. Wilson Lake Dam?

W.J. Wilson Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 W.J. Wilson Lake Dam last inspected?

W.J. Wilson Lake Dam was last inspected on October 18, 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.