North Highlands Lake dam
North Highlands Lake
North Highlands Lake, also known as Atchison Lake, is a privately owned reservoir located in Jefferson County, Alabama. Built in 1959, this Earth dam stands at a structural height of 20 feet and has a hydraulic height of 13 feet. With a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet, this recreational lake serves as a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts in the Toadvine area.
Managed by the Alabama state government, North Highlands Lake offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its historical significance, the lake currently does not have inspection or emergency action plans in place.
Surrounded by the scenic TR-Lick Creek and situated within the Congressional District 06 of Alabama, North Highlands Lake provides a serene escape for locals and visitors alike. With its rich history and potential for recreational enjoyment, this picturesque reservoir serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving water resources in the face of climate challenges.
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 North Highlands Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 51 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 177 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 21 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Pratt City | 39 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Docena | 43 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At Avenue W At Ensley | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Highlands Lake.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Bevill Drive Cordova
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
Campgrounds
- Hoover Rv Park
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #1
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
Track North Highlands 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 North Highlands Lake
Where does the data for North Highlands 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 North Highlands Lake.