Yellow Creek Reservoir Dam
Yellow Creek Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Dawson County, Georgia, built in 1999. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Yellow Creek Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Yellow Creek Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Cherokee County Water Authority (local government). It impounds the Yellow Creek near Ball Ground.
The dam stands 114 feet tall and stretches 1,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 334 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 13,587 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9,728 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 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 114 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Dawson |
| Nearest City | Ball Ground |
| River/Stream | Yellow Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.35778, -84.25333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 114 ft |
| Dam Height | 114 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1999 (27 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 13,587 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 13,587 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 10,720 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 334 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9,728 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Cherokee County Water Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/08/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA04495 |
| Federal ID | GA04495 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |