River Road Reservoir Dam
River Road Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Whitfield County, Georgia, built in 1997. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About River Road Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of River Road 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 Dalton Utilities (public utility). It impounds the Conasauga River near Dalton.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 7,900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 116 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,376 acre-feet. Completed in 1997, the structure is 29 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 08/17/2017. That was 8 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 | Whitfield |
| Nearest City | Dalton |
| River/Stream | Conasauga River |
| Coordinates | 34.86369, -84.82918 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 7,900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1997 (29 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,376 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,376 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,940 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 116 acres |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Dalton Utilities |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/17/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA04601 |
| Federal ID | GA04601 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |