Paynes Dam dam
Paynes Dam
Paynes Dam, also known as Dr. Payne Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Letohatchee, Alabama. Built in 1978 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 1100 feet. The primary purpose of Paynes Dam is to serve as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for various species in the area.
With a storage capacity of 329 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.49 square miles, Paynes Dam plays a crucial role in fire protection, stock management, and recreational activities in the region. While classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is subject to moderate risk, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's infrastructure remains unrated, requiring ongoing assessment to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Paynes Dam serves as a vital resource for both humans and wildlife in the area. Its uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk designation highlight the need for proactive risk management measures to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure the long-term sustainability of this important water resource for future generations of water and climate enthusiasts.
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 Paynes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Catoma Creek Near Montgomery Al | 28 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 45 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Mont.-Mont. Water Works | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 81 cfs | → |
| Patsaliga Creek Near Brantley Al | 196 cfs | → |
| Conecuh River At Brantley Al | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paynes Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sherling Lake City Park
- Sherling Lake Campground And Park
- Gunter Hill
- Maxwell/Gunter Afb Military
- Prairie Creek
- Jones Bluff
Track Paynes 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 Paynes Dam
Where does the data for Paynes 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 Paynes Dam.