Peoples Lake dam
Peoples Lake
Peoples Lake, located in Coosa, Alabama, is a privately owned Earth dam structure that was completed in 1964 by the USDA NRCS. This fish and wildlife pond covers a surface area of 8 acres and has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 44 acre-feet. The dam stands at 16 feet high and spans 200 feet in length, serving purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Peoples Lake boasts a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. With an uncontrolled spillway type and a maximum discharge of 559 cubic feet per second, the dam contributes to the conservation efforts in the area. While not currently rated for condition assessment, the lake remains a valuable resource for the local ecosystem and recreational activities, supported by the efforts of various federal agencies and stakeholders.
Despite not being under state jurisdiction, Peoples Lake plays a significant role in the conservation of Hatchett Creek and the surrounding environment. With its scenic location and diverse wildlife habitat, the lake offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy. As a vital component of the ecosystem, Peoples Lake stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in Alabama.
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 Peoples Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 117 cfs | → |
| Hatchet Creek Below Rockford Al | 184 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 111 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 695 cfs | → |
| Coosa River At Childersburg Al | 3,060 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River At Wadley Al | 991 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peoples Lake.
Boat launches
- Johnson Creek Road Coosa County
- Boat Ramp Road, Jacksons' Gap
- Hamlet Mill Road Tallapoosa County
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
- Ramp Road, Dadeville
- Coosa County
Campgrounds
- Wind Creek State Park
- Lake Martin Military
- Lake Martin Recreation Area
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Turnipseed Campground
- Lake Chinnabee
Fishing spots
Track Peoples 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 Peoples Lake
Where does the data for Peoples 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 Peoples Lake.