Lake Wildwood Dam dam
Lake Wildwood Dam
Lake Wildwood Dam, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Built in 1954 by USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 32 feet and spans a length of 450 feet, with a storage capacity of 295 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-Kepple Creek and is managed by the Lake Wildwood Community.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3 due to its age and the absence of recent inspections. The dam's spillway, with a width of 37 feet, is uncontrolled, and the last recorded inspection was conducted in September 1978. The dam's purpose extends beyond flood protection, as it also serves recreational activities for the local community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Wildwood Dam offers a unique opportunity to study the intersection of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and community engagement. As a vital component of the Tuscaloosa landscape, the dam not only provides wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities but also poses challenges in terms of risk management and maintenance. Further research and monitoring efforts are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of this essential water resource feature.
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 Lake Wildwood Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 202 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 8 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 423 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Wildwood Dam.
Boat launches
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Wildwood Dam 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 Lake Wildwood Dam
Where does the data for Lake Wildwood Dam 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 Lake Wildwood Dam.