New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam is a concrete dam located in Aiken County, Georgia, built in 1937. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 70 ft70 ft tall and 360 ft long, taller than 96% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam
The primary purpose of New Savannah Bluff Lock and 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 USACE - Savannah District (federal). It impounds the Savannah River near Augusta.
The dam stands 70 feet tall and stretches 360 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,000 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 11,610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7,508 square miles. Completed in 1937, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/21/2025.
At 70 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Georgia |
| County | Aiken |
| Nearest City | Augusta |
| River/Stream | Savannah River |
| Coordinates | 33.37245, -81.94098 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 360 ft |
| Year Completed | 1937 (89 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,610 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,610 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,000 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7,508 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 30,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | USACE - Savannah District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 01/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA01703 |
| Federal ID | GA01703 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |