Mcgouirk dam
Mcgouirk
Mcgouirk is a privately owned recreational dam located in the Ragins Chapel Community of Calhoun County, Alabama. The dam was completed in 1958 and is situated on the TR OHATCHEE CREEK, with a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Mcgouirk Dam is for recreation, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities for visitors in the area.
With a low hazard potential and a hydraulic height of 12 feet, Mcgouirk Dam serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. The dam has a structural height of 15 feet and a length of 300 feet, with a normal storage capacity of 20 acre-feet. Although the dam is not regulated by the state and does not require permitting or inspection, it plays a significant role in managing water resources and enhancing the natural landscape of the area.
Despite not being rated for condition assessment, Mcgouirk Dam remains a safe and functional structure for recreational use. It is a part of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, providing a serene environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the TR OHATCHEE CREEK. As a key feature in the local landscape, Mcgouirk Dam contributes to the conservation and preservation of water resources while offering a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking solace in nature.
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 Mcgouirk -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 407 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 115 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 143 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 117 cfs | → |
| Blackburn Fork Little Warrior R Nr Holly Springs | 25 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 392 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcgouirk.
Boat launches
- Ohatchee
- St. Clair County
- Woods Bend Road 3100, Ragland
- Riverview Drive St. Clair County
- Al 77 Lincoln
- Broad Street Gadsden
Campgrounds
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Noccalula Falls Campground
- Lake Chinnabee
- Cheaha State Park
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Turnipseed Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
More reservoirs
Track Mcgouirk 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 Mcgouirk
Where does the data for Mcgouirk 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 Mcgouirk.