Palmetto Creek W/s Str. # 1 Dam
Palmetto Creek W/s Str. # 1 Dam is an earth dam located in Harris County, Georgia, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Palmetto Creek W/s Str. # 1 Dam
The primary purpose of Palmetto Creek W/s Str. # 1 Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Pine Mountain Swcd (state). It impounds the Palmetto Creek near Hamilton.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 21 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,857 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,980 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/08/2017. That was 9 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Georgia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Georgia |
| County | Harris |
| Nearest City | Hamilton |
| River/Stream | Palmetto Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.78778, -84.86306 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,857 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,857 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 77 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 21 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,980 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Pine Mountain SWCD |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/08/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA01646 |
| Federal ID | GA01646 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |