William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam dam
William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam
William Bacon Oliver Lock and Dam, also known as Oliver Lake, is a federal structure located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, along the Black Warrior River. Completed in 1992, this gravity dam serves primarily for navigation purposes, with additional benefits for fish and wildlife pond management. The dam has a hydraulic height of 49 feet and a structural height of 67 feet, with a length of 1200 feet and a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet. The dam also features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 800 feet, and a single lock measuring 600 feet in length and 110 feet in width.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the William Bacon Oliver Lock and Dam poses a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment. To mitigate flood risks associated with the dam, the USACE employs various risk management measures, including continuous monitoring of the dam's condition, prioritizing activities to reduce risks, and collaborating with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and preparedness for dam-related emergencies. Regular maintenance and repairs are conducted to ensure the dam's proper functioning and structural integrity. While dams do not eliminate all flood risks, the USACE is committed to addressing potential issues and safeguarding the surrounding communities from the impacts of severe weather events and water management 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 William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 8 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
Campgrounds
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
- Blue Creek
- Burchfield Branch Park
Fishing spots
Track William Bacon Oliver Lock And 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 William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam
Where does the data for William Bacon Oliver Lock And 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 William Bacon Oliver Lock And Dam.