Kelly Barnes Dam, Earthen embankment dam near Toccoa Falls Bible College, Georgia.
Kelly Barnes Dam is an earthen embankment that crosses Toccoa Creek in Georgia. The structure held back water to form a lake used for power generation and later for local recreation.
The dam was built in 1899 to generate electricity for the surrounding area. It experienced a catastrophic failure in 1977 that caused extensive destruction.
The disaster led to the formation of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials and influenced national policies regarding infrastructure maintenance.
The site is accessible by road near Toccoa Falls and offers views of the remaining structure and surrounding landscape. Visitors should be aware of the open terrain and plan accordingly for weather conditions.
The structure's collapse released 24,000 cubic feet of water per second, causing the deaths of 39 people and $2.8 million in damages.
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