Wesson dam
Wesson
Wesson, located in Etowah, Alabama, is a privately owned dam with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 11 feet and a length of 470 feet, providing a storage capacity of 154 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the TR Rock Creek, serves as a source for recreational activities in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential and current condition being not rated, Wesson has not undergone recent inspections or assessments. The dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, permitting, or inspection, raising concerns about its maintenance and safety protocols. With a maximum discharge capacity of 618 cubic feet per second, it is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor the upkeep of Wesson to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and ecosystem.
Given its historical significance and potential impact on the local environment, there is a need for increased attention to the maintenance and regulation of Wesson. The dam's role in providing fire protection, stock, and recreational opportunities underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate any potential risks or hazards. It is crucial for stakeholders and authorities to prioritize the assessment and management of Wesson to safeguard both the dam's structural integrity and the well-being of the surrounding area.
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 Wesson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 94 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 35 cfs | → |
| Blackburn Fork Little Warrior R Nr Holly Springs | 9 cfs | → |
| Locust Fork Near Cleveland | 86 cfs | → |
| Blue Springs Creek Near Blountsville | 6 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 242 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wesson.
Boat launches
- Riverview Drive St. Clair County
- Broad Street Gadsden
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
- St. Clair County
- Ohatchee
- Sugarland Lake Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Noccalula Falls Campground
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Marshall County Park
- Lake Guntersville State Park
- Georgia Mountain Rv Resort
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
Track Wesson 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 Wesson
Where does the data for Wesson 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 Wesson.