Dam Break: Sandy Springs Crews Drained Water at Estimated 3,500 Gallons per Minute

The northbound Roswell Road lane closure at the Falls at Sandy Springs apartments will be in effect for the Friday morning commute. 

Crews continued efforts to drain the dam, Thursday evening, located outside the apartment complex. Several pumps were working to remove water at an estimated 3,500 gallons per minute. By 8 p.m., the water level in the dam had dropped more than four feet, said Sharon Kraun, city spokesperson, in a statement.

Sandy Springs Police and Fire-Rescue crews plan to remain on the scene throughout Thursday night. Atlanta Gas Light was also on site to repair a valve damaged on Wednesday night. The valve was capped, and crews worked to fill the hole they created on Roswell Road to locate the valve. 

The Red Cross helped displaced residents from three buildings, Wednesday night, when they were evacuated due to a gas leak and the dam break. Kraun said two buildings remain evacuated, Thursday night and accomodations for the residents were provided for.

On Thursday morning, Sandy Springs Assistant City Manager Bryant Poole said it could take at least 24 hours to drain the dam, but considering more rain was expected – two to five inches – it could be longer.

City officials said a partially collapsed walkway caused by the dam break, will likely fall down completely. Poole estimates the dam, at 20-25 feet, contains about five million gallons of water.

Poole said the dam broke once before, back in 2003. He explained that if the apartment complex owner wished to rebuild it, his plans would have to be presented to the Design Reveiw Board, Planning Commission and City Council for approval.