David West dam
David West
David West, located in Olympia Spa Subdivision in Houston, Alabama, is a gravity dam primarily used for irrigation purposes on TR Cypress Creek. Built in 1969 by a private owner, this structure has a hydraulic height of 13 feet and a structural height of 14 feet, with a total length of 415 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 42 acre-feet, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding area's agricultural needs.
Despite its low hazard potential and not being state-regulated, David West plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation and recreation in the region. With a maximum discharge capacity of 663 cubic feet per second, this dam contributes to the management of water resources in the area. Its location in Congressional District 02, Alabama, under the stewardship of private owners, showcases the collaboration between public and private entities in maintaining and utilizing water infrastructure for the benefit of the community.
Although not rated for its condition assessment, David West remains a key feature in the water resource infrastructure of Alabama. With its historical significance dating back to the late 1960s, this gravity dam continues to support the agricultural sector in the region. As climate change impacts water availability, structures like David West highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices to ensure a reliable water supply for both agricultural and recreational purposes.
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 David West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choctawhatchee River Near Newton | 226 cfs | → |
| Sawhatchee Creek At Cedar Springs | 32 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Near Bellwood Al | 566 cfs | → |
| Chipola River At Marianna Fl | 978 cfs | → |
| Wrights Creek At Sh 177-A Nr Bonifay | 96 cfs | → |
| Choctawhatchee River Nr Pittman | 1,850 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near David West.
Boat launches
- Jowers Road Houston County
- Old River Road Early County
- Blue Lake Earl Gilbert Landing
- Henry County 136 Henry County
- Field Road Henry County
Campgrounds
- Houston County Center
- Florida Caverns State Park
- Falling Waters State Park
- Engineer Beach Rv Military - Fort Rucker
- Ozark / Fort Rucker Koa Journey
Fishing spots
Track David West 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 David West
Where does the data for David West 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 David West.