State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 dam
State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7
State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7, also known as State Prison Dams, is a privately owned structure located in Port Royal, Alabama. Built in 1973, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 24 feet and has a length of 625 feet, providing a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet. Situated on TR-Limestone Creek in Hale County, this dam serves a primary purpose of "Other" and has a low hazard potential rating.
Despite its age, State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 has not been rated for its condition and lacks important emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps. With no state regulation or inspection, the responsibility for maintenance and safety falls solely on the private owner. The dam's location in a relatively rural area adds to the importance of proper risk assessment and management to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the protection of water resources.
As a noteworthy structure in Alabama's water resource infrastructure, State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 serves as a reminder of the importance of proper monitoring and maintenance of dams, especially in areas with limited regulatory oversight. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can use this case as an example of the need for increased attention to aging infrastructure and the implementation of emergency preparedness measures to mitigate potential risks and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of water resources 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 State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 2,000 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 3,880 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 10 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 581 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Gainesville L&D Nr Gainesville Al | 2,360 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 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 State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7
Where does the data for State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7 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 State Cattle Ranch Dam No.7.