Yates Lake Dam dam
Yates Lake Dam
Yates Lake Dam, located in Potter, Alabama, serves as a recreational hub along the TR-Childers Creek. Completed in 1973, this private earth dam stands at a structural height of 15 feet, with a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a length of 300 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 875 cubic feet per second, making it a significant water resource for the area.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Yates Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures remain unclear, raising concerns for its overall safety and preparedness in the event of an emergency. With no state jurisdiction or regulation, it is vital for the dam's owners to prioritize the maintenance and upkeep of this vital water infrastructure.
As an integral part of the water resource system in Dallas County, Alabama, Yates Lake Dam warrants further attention and oversight to ensure its continued functionality and safety for both recreational and environmental purposes. Addressing the dam's hazard potential and implementing proper risk management measures will be crucial in safeguarding the surrounding community and ecosystem from potential risks and emergencies associated with the dam.
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 Yates Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 130 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 48 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 390 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 4,220 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 186 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yates Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 183, Marion
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Brinson Court Lowndes County
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Six Mile Creek
- Paul M Grist State Park
- Jones Bluff
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Prairie Creek
- Chilatchee Creek
Fishing spots
Track Yates 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 Yates Lake Dam
Where does the data for Yates 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 Yates Lake Dam.