Killingsworth Lake Dam dam
Killingsworth Lake Dam
Killingsworth Lake Dam, located in Bethlehem Church, Alabama, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1967 by USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 31 feet and stretches 470 feet in length. The dam has a storage capacity of 374 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 296 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 28 acres.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Killingsworth Lake Dam poses significant safety concerns. Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and location along the TR Sipsey River make it a critical structure to monitor for potential risks of failure. As a popular recreational spot, the dam's safety and maintenance are essential for ensuring the protection of surrounding communities and the environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts should pay close attention to Killingsworth Lake Dam for its recreational significance, engineering design, and potential risks. As a privately owned structure with limited oversight, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to mitigate the hazards associated with high-risk dams in the region. The collaboration between federal and state agencies, as well as the local community, is crucial for ensuring the safety and resilience of this important water resource infrastructure.
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 Killingsworth Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North River Near Samantha Al | 155 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| Buttahatchee River Below Hamilton Al | 283 cfs | → |
| Buttahatchee River Nr Aberdeen | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Above Parrish | 128 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Killingsworth Lake Dam.
Fishing spots
Track Killingsworth Lake Dam 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 Killingsworth Lake Dam
Where does the data for Killingsworth Lake Dam 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 Killingsworth Lake Dam.