Blue Creek Lake dam
Blue Creek Lake
Blue Creek Lake, also known as Big Griffin, is a privately owned reservoir located in Jefferson County, Alabama. Constructed in 1942, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 23 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20 feet. The primary purpose of Blue Creek Lake is for recreation, providing a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various water activities.
With a maximum storage capacity of 207 acre-feet, Blue Creek Lake offers a peaceful retreat for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The dam's hazard potential is rated as low, ensuring the safety of those in the surrounding area. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the reservoir continues to be a popular spot for fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Blue Creek Lake serves as a valuable resource for the local community and contributes to the overall landscape and climate of the region. Its tranquil waters and scenic surroundings make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature's beauty.
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 Blue Creek Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 17 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 76 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 138 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 123 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 41 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Creek Lake.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
Campgrounds
- Campground #2
- Campground #1
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Blue Creek
Track Blue 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 Blue Creek Lake
Where does the data for Blue 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 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 Blue Creek Lake.