Whetstone dam
Whetstone
Whetstone is a privately owned recreational dam in Elmore, Alabama, situated on the TR John Bear Creek. Built in 1957, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 27 feet with a hydraulic height of 25 feet. It provides a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, with a maximum discharge of 240 cubic feet per second. The dam is primarily used for recreation purposes, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Whetstone has not been rated for its condition assessment. It has not undergone recent inspections nor has an Emergency Action Plan been prepared. However, the dam continues to serve its recreational purpose, attracting visitors to its tranquil surroundings in WEOKA SOUTH, Alabama. The dam's location within Congressional District 02, Alabama, under the representation of Martha Roby (R), adds to its significance in the local community.
While Whetstone may not have been recently assessed for its condition or emergency preparedness, its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area remains valuable. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the beauty of this dam and its surroundings, as they explore the TR John Bear Creek in Elmore, Alabama. As efforts to assess and manage risks associated with the dam continue, visitors can still enjoy the peaceful ambiance and outdoor activities that Whetstone has to offer.
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 Whetstone -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchet Creek Below Rockford Al | 161 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Mont.-Mont. Water Works | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 4,280 cfs | → |
| Catoma Creek Near Montgomery Al | 19 cfs | → |
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 95 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 853 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whetstone.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Road, Wetumpka
- Lake Jordan Boat Ramp
- Johnson Creek Road Coosa County
- Our Children's Highway 15529-15531, Alexander City
- Ramp Road, Dadeville
- County Road 28 11455, Chilton County
Campgrounds
- Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park
- Wind Creek State Park
- Lake Martin Recreation Area
- Lake Martin Military
- Maxwell/Gunter Afb Military
- Gunter Hill
Fishing spots
Track Whetstone 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 Whetstone
Where does the data for Whetstone 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 Whetstone.