Osborne Lake Dam dam
Osborne Lake Dam
Osborne Lake Dam, located in Jefferson County, Alabama, serves as a vital structure for recreation purposes in the area. Completed in 1969, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 49 feet and has a hydraulic height of 49 feet as well. With a maximum storage capacity of 323 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 271 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its significance for recreation and water storage, Osborne Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its condition being labeled as "Not Rated." While it has not been inspected recently, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are also unclear. With a maximum discharge capacity of 4452 cubic feet per second, the dam's integrity and maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety of the surrounding communities in the event of an emergency.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to monitor the condition and maintenance of Osborne Lake Dam to prevent any potential risks or hazards. With its location on a tributary of Cahaba River, the dam's role in water management and recreation highlights the importance of responsible stewardship and upkeep to protect both the environment and local communities. Stay informed and engaged in efforts to ensure the safety and sustainability of Osborne Lake Dam for future generations.
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 Osborne Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Mountain Brook Al | 56 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 13 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 86th St North At Roebuck | 4 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 15 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 10 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek At Ketona Al | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Osborne Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
- Echo Lake Lane 7501, Jefferson County
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
Campgrounds
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Rickwood Caverns State Park
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #1
Track Osborne 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 Osborne Lake Dam
Where does the data for Osborne 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 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 Osborne Lake Dam.