Cahaba River Lake dam
Cahaba River Lake
Cahaba River Lake, also known as Hidden Valley Lake, is a private reservoir located in NE Trussville, Alabama. It was completed in 1960 and has a primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam has a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a length of 250 feet. The lake has a normal storage capacity of 173 acre-feet and a maximum capacity of 232 acre-feet, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-related activities.
Situated on the Cahaba River, the lake offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the natural beauty of Jefferson County, Alabama. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Cahaba River Lake is a safe and inviting destination for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Although the dam is not regulated by the state, the recreational opportunities and scenic views make it a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the benefits of responsible water management.
Managed by private owners, Cahaba River Lake provides a tranquil retreat for those seeking a peaceful getaway in the heart of Alabama. The lake's proximity to the Cahaba River offers a unique opportunity to observe the intersection of human-made structures and natural ecosystems, making it an ideal location for individuals interested in the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics. Whether you're looking to relax by the water's edge or explore the surrounding area, Cahaba River Lake offers a one-of-a-kind experience for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.
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 Cahaba River Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River At Trussville | 2 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek At Sewage Plant Near Pinson Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek At Ketona Al | 43 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 10 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 86th St North At Roebuck | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cahaba River 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
Campgrounds
Track Cahaba River 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 Cahaba River Lake
Where does the data for Cahaba River 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 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 Cahaba River Lake.