E Ables Lake Dam dam
E Ables Lake Dam
E Ables Lake Dam, located in Dallas, Alabama, along the TR-CHILATECHEE CREEK, is a private earth dam constructed in 1972 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 22 feet and a hydraulic height of 20 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 400 cubic feet per second. The dam, owned and operated by private entities, has a significant hazard potential but is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Although the dam does not fall under state regulation or inspection, it serves as a crucial recreational site in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts. Situated in a picturesque location with a surface area of 700 feet, E Ables Lake Dam offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-related activities. Despite lacking detailed risk management measures and emergency action plans, the dam continues to play a vital role in providing recreational opportunities for the community.
As part of the Mobile District in Alabama, E Ables Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human-made structures and natural water resources. While its condition assessment and risk management may be lacking in some areas, the dam's role in facilitating outdoor recreation in the region underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of dams, water resources, and climate, E Ables Lake Dam presents a compelling case study in balancing human recreational needs with environmental stewardship.
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 E Ables Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 698 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 25 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 103 cfs | → |
| Bassett Creek At Us Highway 43 Nr Thomasville | 2 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 263 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near E Ables Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Highway 183, Marion
Campgrounds
- Chilatchee Creek
- East Bank/Millers Ferry
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Roland Cooper State Park
- Six Mile Creek
- Chickasaw State Park
Fishing spots
Track E Ables 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 E Ables Lake Dam
Where does the data for E Ables 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 Significant 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 E Ables Lake Dam.