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In light of the extremely heavy rainfall and flooding at Lake Allatoona, people wonder why the Dam doesn’t just open up and bring the lake levels back down. I have received a lot of questions concerning this over the past week.
One of the main purposes that Allatoona Dam was built was to prevent any future flooding disasters to befall upon Rome, Ga.. The first major flooding of Rome happened in April 1886 when the rivers crested at 15.29 feet over flood level.
One of the main purposes that Allatoona Dam was built was to prevent any future flooding disasters to befall upon Rome, Ga.. The first major flooding of Rome happened in April 1886 when the rivers crested at 15.29 feet over flood level.
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The Oostanaula and Etowah Rivers merge into and form the Coosa River close to Myrtle Hill in Rome. The week long continuous rainfall caused these rivers to rise to the point that a steamboat was able to travel down Broad Street.
Downtown Rome, Ga. Flood of 1886
At the time of the flood the newly formed city of Rome was in its hay day being a central hub for steamboats and railroads. As the cotton market grew Rome became a major center for the cotton trade.
In the 1880’s Rome was implementing major advancements such as electric lighting and long distance telephone services. One year before the flood the electric streetcars were introduced to the area. After flooding the only means of transportation was by boat for many weeks.
The disastrous flooding spanned from Tennessee all the way to Alabama causing great long term destruction and loss of life.
The construction of Allatoona Dam began in 1946 even though it was approved in 1941 but with the start of WWII the construction was delayed.
Officially completed in 1950 the Dam is the oldest Corps of Engineers reservoir in the Southeast.
As of today (5/8/2013) the lake level is 847.75 while normal full pool is 840.
Below is today’s graph that shows the inflow/outflow at the Dam.
In the 1880’s Rome was implementing major advancements such as electric lighting and long distance telephone services. One year before the flood the electric streetcars were introduced to the area. After flooding the only means of transportation was by boat for many weeks.
The disastrous flooding spanned from Tennessee all the way to Alabama causing great long term destruction and loss of life.
The construction of Allatoona Dam began in 1946 even though it was approved in 1941 but with the start of WWII the construction was delayed.
Officially completed in 1950 the Dam is the oldest Corps of Engineers reservoir in the Southeast.
As of today (5/8/2013) the lake level is 847.75 while normal full pool is 840.
Below is today’s graph that shows the inflow/outflow at the Dam.
Current Lake Allatoona Inflow/Outflow Chart
Doing some quick math they can only release less than half of the water that is still coming in at present.
This is why our lake why our lake is flooded and will remain so for a while.
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