Cardwell Dam
Cardwell
Cardwell, located in Rainbow City West, Etowah County, Alabama, is a privately owned dam built in 1954 for recreational purposes along the TR-Hopton Creek. With a height of 21 feet and a length of 440 feet, Cardwell has a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 61 cubic feet per second. Despite not having state jurisdiction or regulation, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and integrity.
Although not federally funded or regulated, Cardwell poses a potential risk due to its condition assessment being "Not Rated" and lacking an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). The dam's hazard potential coupled with the absence of crucial safety measures underscores the need for proactive risk management strategies and the development of an EAP to protect downstream communities in the event of a dam failure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the vulnerabilities of structures like Cardwell is essential in mitigating potential threats to both the environment and public safety.
As a part of the Mobile District in Alabama, Cardwell serves as a recreational water resource for the local community. While its primary purpose is for leisure activities, the dam's structural integrity and risk assessment play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of residents and the surrounding environment. By staying informed and advocating for proper maintenance and emergency preparedness, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable management of dams like Cardwell for future generations to enjoy safely.
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 Cardwell -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 95 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 70 cfs | → |
| Blackburn Fork Little Warrior R Nr Holly Springs | 25 cfs | → |
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 83 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 284 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 102 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cardwell.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Cardwell
Where does the data for Cardwell 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 High 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 below 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.
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.