Big Creek Lake dam
Big Creek Lake
Big Creek Lake, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a picturesque reservoir primarily used for recreation and water supply purposes. Completed in 1952, the earth dam stands at a height of 75 feet, with a hydraulic height of 56 feet. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 136,500 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 105,000 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for the surrounding community.
With a drainage area fed by Big Creek and a maximum discharge of 35,000 cubic feet per second, the reservoir has a high hazard potential. Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, the dam's condition is currently not rated. The reservoir's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are also not evaluated. However, Big Creek Lake remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a key water resource for the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the management and maintenance of structures like Big Creek Lake are crucial for ensuring water supply reliability and flood control. With its serene surroundings and important role in the community, the reservoir serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Big Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Creek At Snow Road Near Semmes | 12 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Fairview | 8 cfs | → |
| Escatawpa River Near Agricola Ms | 386 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At County Rd 63 Near Wilmer | 23 cfs | → |
| Chickasaw Creek Near Kushla Al | 88 cfs | → |
| Fowl River At Half-Mile Rd Near Laurendine | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Lake.
Boat launches
- Howells Ferry Road 11999, Mobile County
- Coast Guard Wharf Mobile
- Ruben Avenue 498, Saraland
- Wade-Vancleave Road Jackson County
- Battleship Parkway 1267-1989, Spanish Fort
- Battleship Parkway 1675, Spanish Fort
Campgrounds
- Camp Ground
- Chickasabogue Park
- Citronelle Lakeview Rv Park
- Meaher State Park
- Lakeview Rv City Park
- Mobile County Marina
Paddle runs
- The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge To Ends Approximately 2 River Miles From The Southern Terminus Of The Study Area
- Begins Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge To The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge
- The Confluence With Scarsborough Creek To The Confluence With The Escatawpa River
- Begins Approximately 2 River Miles Downstream From The Yellowhouse Branch Confluence With The Escatawpa River Near The Town Of Deer Park, Alabama To Ends Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge
Track Big Creek Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Big Creek Lake
Where does the data for Big Creek Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Big Creek Lake.