Lake Melaken dam
Lake Melaken
Lake Melaken in Shelby, Alabama, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation and water supply. Completed in 1959, this Earth dam has a hydraulic height of 33 feet and a structural height of 35 feet, with a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet. The reservoir is situated near the TRIB TO HOGPEN CR and is managed by the Mobile District of the USACE.
With a maximum discharge of 2375 cubic feet per second, Lake Melaken poses a high hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite lacking state regulation and inspection, the dam serves as a vital resource for the local community, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and sustaining water supply needs. Its picturesque location in PELHAM,AL, makes it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems.
While the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are not specified, Lake Melaken remains a captivating site for those interested in understanding the complex dynamics of water resource management and the impact of climate change on infrastructure resilience. As a key player in the region's water supply and recreational landscape, this privately owned reservoir exemplifies the intricate balance between human needs and environmental stewardship in the face of a changing climate.
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 Melaken -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 9 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 16 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Hoover | 16 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 64 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 7 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Melaken.
Boat launches
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
- County Road 400 848, Shelby
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
- County Road 607, Clanton
Campgrounds
- Hoover Rv Park
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #2
- Campground #1
- Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
Track Lake Melaken 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 Melaken
Where does the data for Lake Melaken 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 Melaken.