Matthews dam
Matthews
Matthews, located in Russell County, Alabama, is a privately owned recreational dam on TR Cowpen Creek. Built in 1960, this earthen dam stands at a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a structural height of 16 feet, with a total length of 400 feet. With a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet, Matthews serves primarily for recreational purposes and has a maximum discharge rate of 90 cubic feet per second. Despite not being regulated or inspected by the state, Matthews holds a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness.
Although not under federal jurisdiction, Matthews plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities in the area. Situated within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam is not subject to federal funding or oversight. The dam's condition is currently not rated, and no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been prepared or updated, highlighting potential risks in the event of a dam failure. Given its significant hazard potential, it is essential for the owners of Matthews to prioritize safety measures and regular inspections to ensure the integrity of the structure and the protection of downstream communities.
Overall, Matthews represents a valuable recreational resource in Alabama, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities. Its location in the Third Congressional District of Alabama, represented by Mike Rogers, underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring this dam to prevent any potential risks to public safety and the surrounding environment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is crucial for stakeholders to prioritize the resilience and safety of dams like Matthews to mitigate any potential hazards and ensure sustainable water management practices in the future.
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 Matthews -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 118 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Hannahatchee Creek At Union | 98 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 452 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 79 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Matthews.
Boat launches
- Chubcreek Road Russell County
- River Bend Park Road Chattahoochee County
- Rood Creek Landing Road Stewart County
- Mcculloh Road 9001-9499, Valley
- Florence Street Georgetown
Campgrounds
- Uchee Creek Military
- Bluff Creek
- Riverbend County Park
- Florence Marina State Park
- Spring Villa Campground
- Lakepoint State Park
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Matthews 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 Matthews
Where does the data for Matthews 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 Matthews.