O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam dam
O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam
Located in the heart of Alabama, the O L and Ema Hicks Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Built in 1955 with a primary purpose of recreation, this privately-owned earth dam spans 335 feet in length and reaches a hydraulic height of 30 feet. With a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet, this dam on TR-SPLUNGE CREEK serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community of EAST SUBURBAN LYNN in Winston County. Despite its age, the dam remains in a significant hazard potential condition, yet its risk management measures and emergency response plans are not fully rated or prepared, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and assessment.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the O L and Ema Hicks Lake Dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of water and ensuring the safety of downstream areas. Though not federally owned or funded, the dam still falls under the jurisdiction of Alabama's state regulatory agencies, with no current permits or inspections reported. As the dam continues to age, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize the development of comprehensive risk assessments, emergency action plans, and hazard mitigation strategies to safeguard the surrounding environment and communities from potential disasters.
With its serene lake and picturesque surroundings, the O L and Ema Hicks Lake Dam offers a valuable recreational space for locals and tourists alike. However, the lack of updated inspection dates, condition assessments, and emergency preparedness measures underscores the need for enhanced monitoring and maintenance efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of this essential water resource. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, investing in the resilience of dams like O L and Ema Hicks Lake is crucial for protecting our communities and ecosystems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear C At New Hope Church Nr Poplar Springs | 55 cfs | → |
| Sipsey Fork Near Grayson Al | 40 cfs | → |
| Buttahatchee River Below Hamilton Al | 142 cfs | → |
| Blackwater Creek Near Manchester Al | 91 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Above Parrish | 128 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Red Bay | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 79 Bear Creek
- County Road 10 1522, Franklin County
- Glades Road Winston County
- County Road 8 Winston County
- Massey Branch Boat Launch
- County Road 27 Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
- Corinth Recreation Area
- Claymore Camp #1
- Clear Creek Recreation Area
- Mcdougle Camp
- Brushy Lake Recreation Area
Track O L And Ema Hicks 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 O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam
Where does the data for O L And Ema Hicks 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 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 O L And Ema Hicks Lake Dam.