Lake Tuscoba Dam dam
Lake Tuscoba Dam
Lake Tuscoba Dam in Northport, Alabama, is a privately owned structure primarily serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Constructed in 1968 by USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 700 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 256 acre-feet, it plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem of the area and providing recreational opportunities for visitors.
Despite being a privately owned entity, Lake Tuscoba Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the state of Alabama and is not regulated by any state agency. The dam has a high hazard potential due to its location on TR-Twomile Creek and has a moderate risk assessment rating. While it has not been inspected since October 1978, the dam remains in a condition that is not yet rated, presenting a potential concern for its long-term safety and maintenance.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 160 feet and has not undergone any modifications in recent years. With its scenic surroundings and important role in supporting wildlife and recreational activities, Lake Tuscoba Dam stands as a significant landmark in Tuscaloosa County, showcasing the intersection of water resource management and climate conservation efforts in the region.
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 Lake Tuscoba Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Tuscoba Dam.
Boat launches
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Binion Creek Landing Park
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
Campgrounds
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
- Blue Creek
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
- Burchfield Branch Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Tuscoba Dam 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 Lake Tuscoba Dam
Where does the data for Lake Tuscoba Dam 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 Lake Tuscoba Dam.