Map of All 5,388 Georgia Dams
Georgia has 5,388 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 546 are classified as high hazard (10% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 191 Georgia dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Georgia dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Georgia to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Georgia Dams by the Numbers
- 5,388 total dams in Georgia
- 546 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 12 significant hazard
- 4,553 low hazard
- 228 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (214 poor, 14 unsatisfactory)
- 191 Georgia dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Georgia
The tallest dam in Georgia is Carters Main Dam at 464 feet, completed in 1974. The 10 tallest Georgia dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carters Main Dam | 464 ft | 1974 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Murray |
| Buford Dam | 231 ft | 1958 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Gwinnett |
| Hartwell Dam | 204 ft | 1962 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Hart |
| J. Strom Thurmond Dam | 200 ft | 1954 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Columbia |
| Nottely Dam | 197 ft | 1942 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Union |
| Richard B. Russell Dam | 195 ft | 1986 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Elbert |
| Allatoona Dam | 188 ft | 1965 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Bartow |
| Blue Ridge Dam | 183 ft | 1930 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Fannin |
| Hickory Log Reservoir Dam | 180 ft | 2008 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Cherokee |
| Tugalo | 155 ft | 1923 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Habersham |
High-Hazard Georgia Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 191 dams in Georgia. Notable examples:
- Bartletts Ferry, Main Dam (150 ft, Harris County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Tara Lake Dam (101 ft, Carroll County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Talking Rock Creek WS Str # 13 (91 ft, Pickens County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Atlanta Reservoir Dam No. 1 (90 ft, Fulton County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Long Swamp Creek WS Str # 14 (85 ft, Pickens County) — Recreation, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Georgia
Dam safety in Georgia is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Georgia?
Georgia has 5,388 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 546 high hazard, 12 significant hazard, and 4,553 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Georgia?
The tallest dam in Georgia is Carters Main Dam at 464 feet, completed in 1974. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many Georgia dams are in poor condition?
228 Georgia dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 191 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
