Peppertree Lake Dam

About Peppertree Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Peppertree Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Dunwoody Springs Community Association (private). It impounds the Unknown near Sandy Springs.

The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 348 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 101 square miles. Completed in 1939, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/04/2016. That was 10 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% 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.