Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1 dam
Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1
Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1, located in Jefferson County, Alabama, serves as a vital water supply source for the surrounding area. Completed in 1978, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 37 feet, with a hydraulic height of 25 feet, and has a storage capacity of 135 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is water supply, with a maximum discharge capability of 1700 cubic feet per second.
Despite being privately owned, this impoundment is not regulated by the state and has a low hazard potential. The condition assessment is currently not rated, and there is no emergency action plan in place. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it plays a crucial role in maintaining water security for the community it serves.
With its strategic location on Blue Creek and proximity to the city of North Johns, Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1 stands as a testament to responsible water resource management. Enthusiasts interested in climate and water conservation will find this structure's design and functionality intriguing, as it continues to support the region's water supply needs while posing minimal risk to surrounding areas.
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 Mine #3 - Impoundment #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 138 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 76 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 17 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 123 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Docena | 189 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Pratt City | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- 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 Mine #3 - Impoundment #1 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 Mine #3 - Impoundment #1
Where does the data for Blue Creek Mine #3 - Impoundment #1 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 Mine #3 - Impoundment #1.