Brown dam
Brown
Brown, also known as Joy Dam, is a private structure located in Talladega, Alabama, specifically in the city of Lake Joy Estates. Built in 1965, this recreational dam sits on TR Shelton Creek and has a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for the local community. With a hydraulic height of 22 feet and a structural height of 27 feet, Brown offers a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 88 acre-feet.
Despite its recreational focus, Brown poses a significant hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. The dam, classified as an Earth type, has a length of 325 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 2 cubic feet per second. While there are no associated locks or spillways, the dam's location within the Mobile District of Alabama's Congressional District 03 adds complexity to its management and oversight.
With limited regulatory oversight and no state jurisdiction, Brown's lack of inspection and maintenance records raises concerns about its long-term safety and functionality. Its absence of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps further underscore the need for improved risk assessment and management measures. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Brown serves as a focal point for understanding the challenges faced by private dam owners in ensuring the safety and sustainability of their structures amidst evolving environmental conditions.
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 Brown -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchet Creek Below Rockford Al | 133 cfs | → |
| Coosa River At Childersburg Al | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 95 cfs | → |
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 71 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 15 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 843 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown.
Track Brown 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 Brown
Where does the data for Brown 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 Brown.