Loch Highland Lake (lower) Dam

Loch Highland Lake (lower) Dam is an earth dam located in Cobb County, Georgia, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Loch Highland Lake (lower) Dam

The primary purpose of Loch Highland Lake (lower) Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Cobb County Board Of Commissioners;loch Highland Homeowners Association (local government). It impounds the Sweat Mountain Creek near Roswell.

The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 390 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 560 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,333 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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 02/09/2016. 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateGeorgia
CountyCobb
Nearest CityRoswell
River/StreamSweat Mountain Creek
Coordinates34.04215, -84.42210

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height28 ft
Dam Height28 ft
Dam Length390 ft
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage560 acre-ft
Max Storage560 acre-ft
Normal Storage288 acre-ft
Surface Area28 acres
Drainage Area2,333 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCobb County Board of Commissioners;Loch Highland Homeowners Association
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection02/09/2016
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDGA03866
Federal IDGA03866
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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