Hames dam
Hames
Located in Lawley, Alabama, Hames is a private recreational dam on TR Kelly Creek that was completed in 1957. With a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, this earth dam stands at 250 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and being classified as "Not Rated" in its condition assessment, Hames has not been inspected recently, raising concerns about its overall safety and maintenance.
The dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy recreational activities in the St. Clair County area. While Hames does not fall under state jurisdiction or regulation, its significance lies in providing a water resource for the local community and attracting visitors for leisurely pursuits. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, ensuring the proper upkeep and monitoring of dams like Hames is crucial for both safety and environmental sustainability.
As part of Congressional District 03 in Alabama, Hames is overseen by Representative Mike Rogers (R) and the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment remain unclear, the potential risks associated with outdated inspection records and lack of regulatory oversight highlight the importance of proactive management and investment in water infrastructure for resilient and sustainable water resource management in the face of a changing climate.
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 Hames -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 392 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 27 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 48 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Trussville | 22 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 26 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Mountain Brook Al | 178 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hames.
Boat launches
- Bells Lane St. Clair County
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Hames 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 Hames
Where does the data for Hames 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 Hames.