Lake Windward Dam

About Lake Windward Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Windward Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Windward Community Services Association, Inc. City Of Alpharetta (private). It impounds the Caney Creek near Alpharetta.

The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 750 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 168 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,566 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,880 square miles. Completed in 1981, the structure is 45 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/17/2017. That was 8 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.

At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.

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.