Sharp Mountain Creek Ws Str # 14

Sharp Mountain Creek Ws Str # 14 is an earth dam located in Pickens County, Georgia, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Sharp Mountain Creek Ws Str # 14

The primary purpose of Sharp Mountain Creek Ws Str # 14 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 Limestone Valley Swcd (state). It impounds the Cagle Branch near Cagle Community.

The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 684 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 555 acre-feet. Completed in 1957, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/25/2017. That was 9 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.

At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% 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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateGeorgia
CountyPickens
Nearest CityCagle Community
River/StreamCagle Branch
Coordinates34.39563, -84.43852

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height44 ft
Dam Height44 ft
Dam Length684 ft
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage555 acre-ft
Max Storage555 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerLimestone Valley SWCD
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection01/25/2017
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDGA00694
Federal IDGA00694
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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