Frank Cothran Dam dam
Frank Cothran Dam
Frank Cothran Dam, located in St. Mary's Church, Alabama, is a private recreational facility completed in 1969. The dam, designed as an Earth type structure, stands at a structural height of 28 feet with a hydraulic height of 26 feet. It serves primarily for recreation purposes and has a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 96 acre-feet.
Situated on the Pine Barren Creek, the dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition assessment. Despite being privately owned, it is not regulated or inspected by the state agencies. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 320 cubic feet per second and spans a length of 560 feet. It provides a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy recreational activities in the serene surroundings of Dallas County, Alabama.
With its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings, Frank Cothran Dam offers an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in various recreational activities. The dam, with its low hazard potential and unregulated status, provides a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. For those interested in water resources and climate, this private recreational facility in Alabama is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered and appreciated for its unique charm and appeal.
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 Frank Cothran Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 29 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 749 cfs | → |
| Bassett Creek At Us Highway 43 Nr Thomasville | 3 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 110 cfs | → |
| Alabama River At Claiborne L&D Near Monroeville | 6,950 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Near Evergreen Al | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frank Cothran Dam.
Boat launches
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Wilcox County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
Campgrounds
- Roland Cooper State Park
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Chilatchee Creek
- East Bank/Millers Ferry
- Six Mile Creek
- Bells Landing
Fishing spots
Track Frank Cothran 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 Frank Cothran Dam
Where does the data for Frank Cothran 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 Frank Cothran Dam.