Johnson Lake dam
Johnson Lake
Johnson Lake, also known as Lynch Whatley, is a private recreational lake located in Lee County, Alabama. Built in 1956, this earth dam structure stands at a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 15 feet, with a dam length of 200 feet. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 288 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 353 acre-feet, offering ample water for various recreational activities.
Situated in the city of Quarry along the TR-Chewalla Creek, Johnson Lake provides a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as fishing, boating, and swimming. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam has not been inspected recently, but it continues to serve its primary purpose of recreation effectively. Despite its private ownership, Johnson Lake remains a valuable water resource in Alabama's landscape, attracting visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in nature.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Johnson Lake is a well-maintained recreational area with a strong emphasis on safety and environmental protection. While lacking specific information on spillways, lock systems, and drainage areas, the lake's overall risk assessment and emergency preparedness measures are not currently available. For water enthusiasts looking for a serene escape in Lee County, Johnson Lake presents a picturesque destination with potential for outdoor adventures and relaxation.
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 Johnson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 79 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 23 cfs | → |
| Uphapee Creek Near Tuskegee Al | 72 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At West Point | 856 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnson Lake.
Boat launches
- Mcculloh Road 9001-9499, Valley
- West 7th Street 199, West Point
- County Road 390 Chambers County
- Dam Road Troup County
- Westpoint Road West Point
- Yates Lake Ramp
Campgrounds
- Chewacla State Park
- Spring Villa Campground
- Blanton Creek Park
- R Shaefer Heard
- Lake Martin Recreation Area
- Lake Martin Military
Fishing spots
- Opelika City (Saugahatchee) Reservoir
- Goat Rock Lake
- Lake Harding
- Bartlett's Ferry (Lake Harding)
- Lake Oliver
- Lake Heath
More reservoirs
Track Johnson 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 Johnson Lake
Where does the data for Johnson 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 Low 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 Johnson Lake.