
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.


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.
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.