Lake Somerset & Dam Edit page

Our earthen dam (and its lake) were constructed many years before our subdivision existed and was known as "Corn (or Corns) Lake." The old Corn home stood where Timber's Ridge homes sit today; the lake was used as a fishing and camping lake. However, since the lake is now "Private Property" any web reference to public access fishing is not permitted. Officially, we as LSCA, Inc. members collectively own the land (mud?) under the lake.

[NOTICE: What the LSCA, Inc. owns is to the "pins" as specified on a survey, filed with Cobb County. Some lakefront homeowners do beneficially use land that encroaches onto Association property, but their survey "pins" define their land, and no "Adverse Possession" is implied. Refer to lakefront and dock rules.] 

The lake water itself is considered a "wide spot" where two non-descript streams plus a dry wash join in a pool (lake.) A watershed of about 100 acres also feeds our lake via runoff from properties, either sprinkler water or stormwater. The water then flows out of the 3 10" PVC pipes down and under Bob Cox Road to Brown's Lake. Before passing under Bob Cox Road, another unnamed stream that flows through the backyards of Middlesex and Lake Somerset Drive homes crosses under the intersection of Woodmead and Lake Somerset Drive and into the woods. After flowing through Brown's Lake the water flows eastward along the north side of Dallas Highway, joining the north-south Mud Creek at the Heritage Oaks subdivision entrance (Have you noticed the Mud Creek Civil War Historical Marker there?) Mud Creek then flows south under Dallas Highway, about where the marker is and the pretty new County built stone wall and sidewalk. 

The water is State-owned and could be used in an emergency by the State. We, however, are permitted to use the lake for the enjoyment of the LSCA, Inc. members.

The dam was reconstructed in 1987. A special assessment was set forth as a condition of membership in the new LSCA, Inc. with all residents desiring to participate in paying this assessment fee. To date, all but 19 lot owners have paid this amount outlined in our 1987 By-Laws. Due to the November 6, 1977 Kelly Barnes Dam disaster in Taccoa, Georgia, where 39 students at Taccoa College were killed in a wall of water, our dam was recategorized as a Class-1 structure, meaning it was deemed similar to the massive concrete Buford and Allatoona Dams! An engineering study was done, and we were able to trim the top of the dam, lowering it by about 5' and the dam would be a Class-2, with grass spillway, and lesser requirements. The lake bed was also scraped as a "borrow" area for dirt to form that berm in front of the dam. Note that wide grassy step? The area of the lake shrunk from ca. 18 acres to its present size of ca. 15 acres. It is now considered a Class-2 dam and is subject to inspection by State officials (another item your Board handles for you!) 

We must be diligent as a breach could cause downstream property damage. Visit this website to see what the State of Georgia considers the "hazard".

• Flood Risk Map

Further, about 2007 when the Timbers Edge cluster homes were built, the construction deposited some additional silt into our lake. Dredging was done at the contractor's expense near our south cove.

Since the homes surrounding the Lake do have septic tanks (yes, they must be set back a certain distance from the Lake's edge, a/k/a "Wave Action", and properly maintained) the Lakewater is tested yearly for fecal coliform. Also, the nuisance waterfowl (Canada Geese) leave substantial droppings in the water and around the lake. Lawn and garden fertilizer and pet droppings can also run off into our lake and pollute it. We have always received excellent reports, indicating a very clean lake. The latest results are posted on the Clubhouse bulletin board. (Results will be posted on this site when the next report is done.)

• Clean Water Campaign

Lakefront property owners must be good stewards of the water, and as such are subject to several special restrictions that off-lake dwellers need not worry about.

As a lakefront property owner, you are permitted to construct a dock/seawall on your section of the frontage. However, this is subject to the property owner abiding by the recorded COVENANTS, recorded LSCA, Inc. BY-LAWS, and the published LAKE RULES. [ By reading this, you have been advised of Constructive Notice" on these documents and the contents! ] You must also be current in the payment of current year LSCA, Inc. full dues. Please refer to the "Construction Standards Regarding Lakefront Docks" document provided below regarding construction touching or extending into the lake.

Further, since the lake is but a widening of the streams that flow through it, the property owners tangent to the lake and feeder streams must be cognizant of Cobb County stream management. By reading this affected property owners now have been informed of "Constructive Notice" to these facts. Please refer to the following Cobb County codes within the master Cobb Code document:

• County Stream & Embankment Management
• Watershed Stewardship

• Hawks, red tail variety.
• Blue Herons, Kingfishers.
• Canada Geese (PLEASE DO NOT FEED! They are "protected" but are a nuisance bird.) See what we mean? Even B.C. agrees!
• Ducks.
• Many kinds of small "perching birds."
• Coyotes. Please watch your small animals (dogs, cats) as the coyote will attack & eat them!
• Opossums and raccoons.
• Squirrels & Ground Squirrels (often mistaken for Chipmunks.) Be aware both enjoy gnawing on wires, like those from your air conditioner!
• Mussels (about 2" long).
• Snapping turtles and at least one 4' alligator gar.
• Good Fish: Largemouth bass, bluegill, grass-eating carp.
• Not so good fish: Red ear sunfish, gar. Please remove if you catch these species.
• Snakes: Some garden snakes, but be aware as copperheads and cottonmouths have also been spotted.