Turkey Creek Lake dam
Turkey Creek Lake
Turkey Creek Lake, also known as Big Shadow Lake, is a private recreational lake located in NE Pinson, Alabama. Built in 1951, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet, with a hydraulic height of 23 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 162 acre-feet and serves as a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts looking to enjoy outdoor activities in a picturesque setting.
With its location along Turkey Creek, the lake provides a serene environment for visitors to engage in recreational pursuits such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Despite being privately owned, Turkey Creek Lake has a high hazard potential due to its size and the surrounding topography. While the dam is not currently rated for its condition, it remains a key feature in the region's water resource infrastructure.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Turkey Creek Lake offers a glimpse into Alabama's rich natural landscape and serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. As a hub for outdoor recreation, this lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty in the effort to balance environmental conservation with public enjoyment.
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 Turkey Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Creek At Sewage Plant Near Pinson Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Trussville | 2 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek At Ketona Al | 43 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 86th St North At Roebuck | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Turkey Creek Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
- Echo Lake Lane 7501, Jefferson County
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Inland Lake Blount County
- Boat Landing Road 4101, Blount County
Track Turkey Creek 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 Turkey Creek Lake
Where does the data for Turkey Creek 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 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 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 Turkey Creek Lake.