Finger Lake Dam dam
Finger Lake Dam
Finger Lake Dam, located in Dunvant, Alabama, was completed in 1977 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. The earth dam, with a hydraulic height of 36 feet and a length of 360 feet, impounds Shoal Creek to create Finger Lake. The dam has a storage capacity of 87 acre-feet, with normal storage levels at 66 acre-feet, providing ample water for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
Managed by a private owner, Finger Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential and has not been formally rated for its condition. Despite lacking state regulation and inspection, the dam remains a popular destination for water enthusiasts in the Shelby County area. While there have been no recent modifications or inspections reported, it is important for visitors to be aware of emergency contacts and evacuation procedures in case of any unforeseen events at the dam.
With its scenic location and ample recreational opportunities, Finger Lake Dam continues to attract visitors seeking a tranquil water environment in the heart of Alabama. As a significant part of the local landscape, the dam provides an important source of water-related activities and serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental conservation 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 Finger Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 13 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 15 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Mountain Brook Al | 56 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finger Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Bells Lane St. Clair County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
Track Finger Lake 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 Finger Lake Dam
Where does the data for Finger Lake 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 Significant 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 Finger Lake Dam.