North Highlands Dam (Chattahoochee River Whitewater)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: North Highlands
Other Name: NORTH HIGHLANDS
NID ID: GA00838
Longitude: -85
Latitude: 32.5
River: CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER
State: GA
Owner Name: GEORGIA POWER COMPANY
Owner Type: Public Utility
Dam Designer: COLUMBUS POWER COMPANY/GEORGIA POWER COMPANY
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Other
Core: Upstream Facing (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RK
Purposes: Hydroelectric
Year Completed: 1898
Dam Length: 978 feet
Dam Height: 36.6 feet
Structural Height: 33.5 feet
Hydraulic Height: 37 feet
Maximum Discharge: 622700 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 1643 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 1172 acre-feet
Surface Area: 115.48 acres
Drainage Area: 4674 square miles
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2012-08-29
Inspection Frequency: 1
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 705 feet
Federal Funding Agency: NORTH HIGHLANDS
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Source Agency:

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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