Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1 dam
Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1
Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1, located in Patton, Alabama, is a significant earth dam with a hydraulic height of 104 feet and a structural height of 108 feet. Completed in 1970, this dam serves a primary purpose of "Other" and has a storage capacity of 541 acre-feet. The dam, managed by a public utility, poses a significant hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition.
Situated on the TR-THE NARROWS river stream in Walker County, Alabama, this dam has a length of 725 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 870 cubic feet per second. Despite being a non-federal structure, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam has not been inspected or rated for its condition, and there is no Emergency Action Plan prepared for it.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1 presents an intriguing case study in dam management and safety. With its significant hazard potential and lack of regulatory oversight, this dam highlights the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness in ensuring the safety and integrity of critical water infrastructure. As debates continue over the environmental impacts of strip mining and impoundment dams, this structure serves as a reminder of the complex challenges and responsibilities involved in managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lost Creek Above Parrish | 128 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Fork At Cordova Al | 455 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 157 cfs | → |
| Locust Fork At Sayre | 317 cfs | → |
| Blackwater Creek Near Manchester Al | 63 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Docena | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Bevill Drive Cordova
- Highway 78 8090, Cordova
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Smith Lake Dam Road 8067-8697, Jasper
- Lick Creek Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Blue Creek
- Clear Creek Recreation Area
- Rickwood Caverns State Park
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
Track Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 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 Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1
Where does the data for Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 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 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 Strip Mining Impoundment Dam No 1.