S. Howell Gardner Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Henry County, Georgia, built in 1983. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 34 ft34 ft tall and 400 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About S. Howell Gardner Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of S. Howell Gardner Reservoir 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 Henry County Water & Sewage Authority (local government). It impounds the Indian Creek.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 150 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,780 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11,520 square miles. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/01/2017. That was 9 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% 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.
Location
| State | Georgia |
| County | Henry |
| River/Stream | Indian Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.33336, -84.12794 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,780 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,780 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 975 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 150 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11,520 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Henry County Water & Sewage Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 03/01/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | GA04630 |
| Federal ID | GA04630 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |