Rc&d Watershed Structure Y-17 is an earth dam located in Gwinnett County, Georgia, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 762 ft long, taller than 74% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Rc&d Watershed Structure Y-17
The primary purpose of Rc&d Watershed Structure Y-17 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 Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Gwinnett County Swcd (state). It impounds the Little Suwanee Creek near Gloster.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 762 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 36 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,418 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,380 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 02/25/2016. That was 10 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
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 | Gwinnett |
| Nearest City | Gloster |
| River/Stream | Little Suwanee Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.01827, -84.01347 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 762 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,418 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,418 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 36 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,380 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Gwinnett County Swcd |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/25/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA00592 |
| Federal ID | GA00592 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |