Fowler Lake Dam

About Fowler Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Fowler Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Chestnut Mountain Properties Llc (private). It impounds the Harper Creek near Flat Branch Environs.

The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 546 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 606 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 03/02/2016. That was 10 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.

At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% 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.

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