Bowden Dam dam
Bowden Dam
Bowden Dam, located in N. W. Columbiana, Alabama, is a private dam primarily used for recreation on TR. Wolf Creek. Completed in 1965, this Earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 40 feet with a hydraulic height of 36 feet and a length of 200 feet. It has a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 750 cubic feet per second. While it has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam has not been inspected recently.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bowden Dam serves as an important recreational resource for the community, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. The dam's location in Shelby County, Alabama, within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, adds to its appeal as a picturesque spot for nature enthusiasts and water resource aficionados to explore. While the dam may not have significant regulatory oversight or enforcement, its role in providing recreational opportunities and supporting the local ecosystem cannot be understated.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and ecosystems, Bowden Dam stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need to prioritize the conservation of our natural resources. With its serene surroundings and potential for outdoor recreation, the dam serves as a symbol of the delicate balance between human activity and environmental preservation in the face of a changing climate. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate work to protect and sustain these vital ecosystems, Bowden Dam offers a glimpse into the interconnectedness of water, climate, and recreation in shaping our environment.
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 Bowden Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 13 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Hoover | 18 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 17 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 99 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 13 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowden Dam.
Boat launches
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
- County Road 400 848, Shelby
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
- County Road 607, Clanton
- Coosa County
Campgrounds
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #2
- Campground #1
Track Bowden 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 Bowden Dam
Where does the data for Bowden 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 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 Bowden Dam.