Burkes Lake dam
Burkes Lake
Burkes Lake, located in Russell County, Alabama, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. Built in 1946, this Earth dam spans 400 feet in length and stands at a height of 15 feet, with a hydraulic height of 12 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 55 acre-feet, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy water-based activities like fishing, boating, and swimming.
Despite its low hazard potential and the absence of state regulation, Burkes Lake serves as a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to unwind and connect with nature. The reservoir is fed by TR Mitchell Creek and boasts a maximum discharge rate of 382 cubic feet per second. While the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," its emergency action plan status remains unreported, leaving room for improvement in terms of risk management measures and emergency preparedness.
With its tranquil setting and recreational opportunities, Burkes Lake offers a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As visitors soak in the beauty of the surrounding landscape and enjoy the water activities available, there is a sense of harmony with nature that makes this hidden gem in Alabama a must-visit destination for those looking to escape and rejuvenate.
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 Burkes Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 118 cfs | → |
| Hannahatchee Creek At Union | 98 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 452 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 79 cfs | → |
| Kinchafoonee Creek At Preston | 186 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burkes Lake.
Boat launches
- Chubcreek Road Russell County
- River Bend Park Road Chattahoochee County
- Rood Creek Landing Road Stewart County
- Florence Street Georgetown
- Cool Branch Road Quitman County
Campgrounds
- Bluff Creek
- Florence Marina State Park
- Uchee Creek Military
- Riverbend County Park
- Lakepoint State Park
- Spring Villa Campground
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Burkes Lake 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 Burkes Lake
Where does the data for Burkes Lake 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 Burkes Lake.