Mac Lake Upper Lake dam
Mac Lake Upper Lake
Mac Lake Upper Lake, also known as Camp Mac Dam No 2, is a privately owned recreational water resource located in McElderry, Alabama. The dam, completed in 1950, stands at a structural height of 22 feet and has a hydraulic height of 18 feet. The lake has a maximum storage capacity of 580 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 440 acre-feet, making it a significant water source for the area.
Situated on Tater Creek within Talladega County, Alabama, Mac Lake Upper Lake offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. While the dam's hazard potential is deemed significant, the condition assessment is currently not rated. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, regulation, or permitting, suggesting a minimal level of oversight in terms of maintenance and inspection.
Despite its lack of formal regulatory oversight, Mac Lake Upper Lake remains a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts seeking a picturesque and serene environment for outdoor recreation. As a private facility, it offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature while engaging in water-based activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The dam's history, coupled with its scenic location and recreational offerings, make it a noteworthy site for those interested in water resources and climate conservation.
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 Mac Lake Upper Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 304 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 114 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 106 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 175 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 58 cfs | → |
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 102 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mac Lake Upper Lake.
Boat launches
- Al 77 Lincoln
- County Road 88 Randolph County
- Pointe South Drive Randolph County
- Randolph County
- Woods Bend Road 3100, Ragland
- County Road 895 Randolph County
Campgrounds
- Lake Chinnabee
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Turnipseed Campground
- Cheaha State Park
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Pine Glen
Fishing spots
Track Mac Lake Upper 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 Mac Lake Upper Lake
Where does the data for Mac Lake Upper 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 Significant 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 Mac Lake Upper Lake.