Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam dam
Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam
Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam, located in Dale County, Alabama, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1970, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, with a length of 532 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 107 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 310 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated." It is not regulated or inspected by the state, and there is no emergency action plan in place. The dam's purpose is solely for recreation, and it sits along TR Ward Creek in the Bethel Church Community. While the risk assessment and management measures for the dam are not specified, its location and design make it an important resource for water enthusiasts interested in exploring the waterways of Alabama.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam provides a fascinating case study of a privately-owned earth dam with a unique history and purpose. Its unregulated status and lack of state oversight raise questions about its long-term maintenance and potential risks. As a recreational structure in a picturesque setting, the dam offers an opportunity for further exploration and research into the intersection of water management, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choctawhatchee River Near Newton | 226 cfs | → |
| Pea River Near Ariton Al | 105 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Near Bellwood Al | 566 cfs | → |
| Little Double Bridges Creek Nr Enterprise | 10 cfs | → |
| Sawhatchee Creek At Cedar Springs | 32 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Nr Pittman | 1,850 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam.
Track Jerry Mcdaniel 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 Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Jerry Mcdaniel 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 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 Jerry Mcdaniel Lake Dam.