Welcome to the
Dog River Reservoir ExpansionProject Page
SECURING OUR WATER FUTURE
A Generational Investment in Douglas County
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Dog River Reservoir represents years of planning and investment to ensure Douglas County is prepared for the future. As our community continues to grow, having a reliable water supply is essential for both our residents and the businesses that choose to plant their lives here.
This project has been decades in the making and reflects the long-term vision to ensure Douglas County has a safe and dependable water supply long into the future, especially during times of increasingly worse droughts in our area.
While we have to endure some growing pains as we build this project, we are excited about having it completed in 2029 and once again opening our refreshed and modernized Recreation Area to our residents and businesses to enjoy the beautiful reservoir.
Investments like this position our community for the next 50 years and beyond, allowing us to meet future demand while maintaining reliable service.
“The Dog River Reservoir is more than a water source—it’s an investment in the future of Douglas County and the quality of life for generations to come.” – Gilbert Shearouse
Dog River Reservoir Expansion - Project Phases

Constructing three new earthen dams and a new concrete spillway.
⚙️ CURRENT ACTIVITY: Currently building up the east embankment dam, excavating the new spillway and starting concrete in the stilling basin

Constructing a new intake pump station with three 2500HP vertical turbine pumps and a new electrical building.
⚙️CURRENT ACTIVITY: Currently finishing excavation of the pump station, intake microtunnels completed, electrical building brick facade on-going

Constructing a new 800' bridge adjacent to the existing bridge to accommodate the new reservoir water level
⚙️ CURRENT ACTIVITY: Currently drilling and pouring the bridge caisson foundations and constructing the new roadways
Year: 2029
Latest Project Update
See the latest progress on the Dog River Reservoir Expansion Project, including ongoing construction activities and major project developments.
Project Progress
See the Reservoir Taking Shape - Gallery
Have a question? Find answers in our Frequently Asked Questions below.
About the Project
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The reservoir is being expanded to increase our community’s resilience against future droughts.
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The reservoir's capacity will increase from 1.9 billion gallons to 6.5 billion gallons, an increase of 4.6 billion gallons, more than tripling its current storage capacity.
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The expansion is intended to provide additional water storage and improve the community's ability to meet future water demands in the face of increasingly severe droughts.
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The reservoir has been closed for public recreation for approximately one and a half years and is expected to remain closed for approximately three and a half more years while major construction activities are completed.(Although the reservoir is closed for public recreation, it is still a fully functional reservoir supply water to the residents and businesses of Douglas County.)
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The reservoir is currently anticipated to reopen for public access in March of 2030, following completion of the major construction work and the necessary inspections, approvals and preparation for reopening. (Actual construction should be completed in April 2029, but we will spend the rest of 2029 filling the reservoir.)
Construction
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Major construction activities currently underway include the earthen dam embankment, concrete spillway, intake pumping station, and new Highway 166 bridge.
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Over one million cubic yards of soil are being excavated, relocated, and placed to form the earthen embankment that constitutes the majority of the new dam.
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Planning and design, environmental and regulatory approvals, and site preparation are complete, and the project is currently under construction. The project webpage will provide updates as the project progresses through its various phases.
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The project consists of multiple phases that included planning and design, environmental and regulatory approvals, site preparation, construction, reservoir filling, and final inspections before reopening.
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A spillway is a structure designed to safely pass excess water out of the reservoir when water levels rise above the full pool level. It is an important part of the reservoir's overall safety system.
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The dam is a critical component of the expanded reservoir as it will raise the water surface of the reservoir by 35 feet from its existing level to increase the volume of stored water.
Water Level and Reservoir Size
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The expanded reservoir's water level is expected to be approximately 35 feet higher than the current level.
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Raising the reservoir level is necessary to increase the reservoir's overall storage capacity from approximately 1.9 billion gallons to 6.5 billion gallons.
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Yes. All areas inundated by the current reservoir will be 35 feet deeper. The water level will rise up 35 feet above its current level to cover ground area around the reservoir that is not currently inundated.
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Yes. Changes to the reservoir's shoreline, water level, surrounding infrastructure and other features are expected as a result of the expansion.
Highway 166 and Transportation
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The existing bridge on Highway 166 in Douglasville will be removed as part of the reservoir expansion project and replaced with a new taller bridge.
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The bridge must be reconstructed to accommodate the increase in water surface elevation of the expanded reservoir.
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Yes. Minor traffic interruptions may occur as construction progresses, but the road and bridge will remain open to traffic throughout construction. Once the new bridge is completed and accepted by the Georgia Department of Transportation, traffic will shift onto the new bridge to allow demolition of the existing bridge to commence.
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The new bridge will be approximately 35 feet higher than the existing bridge to accommodate the expanded reservoir and the project's future water level.
Environmental and Regulatory Questions
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The project is subject to environmental requirements and regulatory oversight designed to protect water resources, surrounding land and the environment throughout construction. The project is under the regulatory jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) and has been permitted by both agencies.
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Yes. The reservoir expansion must comply with applicable state environmental requirements and approvals administered by the Georgia GAEPD and other state and federal regulations pertaining to construction of public water supply reservoirs.
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Construction activities are planned and managed according to applicable environmental requirements and water-quality protection measures designed to minimize impacts during construction. Protection of the water quality in the reservoir during construction is a top priority of the contractors performing the work.
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Yes, the expansion will flood streams and wetlands around the perimeter of the reservoir. WSA has acquired mitigation credits to offset these impacts as part of the project’s permitting through the USACE.
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The environmental planning and permitting of the project included surveys to ensure no critical habitats or threatened or endangered species are adversely impacted by the project.
Recreation and Public Access
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The reservoir is closed because major construction activities create potential safety hazards to anyone recreating on or around the reservoir.
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No. Public access remains restricted throughout the duration of construction.
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Recreational activities are expected to resume after construction is substantially complete and the reservoir has undergone the necessary inspections, approvals and preparation for reopening. Reopening is currently anticipated in March of 2030.
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The expanded reservoir will feature a new recreational complex with upgraded facilities and will more than double the surface area of the water for activities such as fishing.
Why the Project Matters
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The expanded reservoir is intended to provide additional long-term water storage capacity to support the community's future water needs amid worsening drought conditions.
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No. The existing reservoir was properly sized for the community’s anticipated growth over the next 50 years under the climate conditions of the time when it was designed. However, since that time our area suffered the worst drought in history, and the expansion is necessary to provide sufficient water supply through another such “drought of record” with the water demands expected from our anticipated future growth. The reservoir expansion is not being driven by changes in growth or development projections, but rather is in response to changing environmental conditions.
Project Management
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The project is being managed by a project team consisting of WSA engineers, engineering consultants, and a construction manager-at-risk to oversee construction activities.
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The project team meets regularly and monitors construction activities, milestones, regulatory requirements, and other factors that affect the overall schedule to ensure the project is progressing as it should.
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Large infrastructure projects can encounter weather, construction, environmental, regulatory, material or other unforeseen conditions that may affect the schedule. To date, the project is proceeding on schedule. Project updates will be provided if significant changes occur.