Harris Saunders Dam dam
Harris Saunders Dam
Harris Saunders Dam, located in Dry Valley, Alabama, was completed in 1974 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a fish and wildlife pond. The earth dam stands at a height of 41 feet and has a length of 375 feet, providing a storage capacity of 138 acre-feet. The dam's primary purposes include fish and wildlife conservation, as well as recreation for enthusiasts in the Chilton County area.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Harris Saunders Dam is a key feature along TR-Mahan Creek. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 65 feet, allows for a maximum discharge of 380 cubic feet per second. Although the dam is privately owned, it does not fall under state or federal regulatory jurisdiction, highlighting its unique status in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harris Saunders Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of conservation efforts and recreational opportunities in Alabama. With its focus on fish and wildlife preservation and limited hazard potential, this earth dam serves as a valuable asset in the local ecosystem while providing a space for outdoor activities in the surrounding area.
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 Harris Saunders Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 202 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 87 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 11 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 417 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 20 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harris Saunders Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 400 848, Shelby
- County Road 607, Clanton
- Coosa County
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
- County Road 28 11455, Chilton County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
Campgrounds
- Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #2
- Campground #1
Fishing spots
Track Harris Saunders 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 Harris Saunders Dam
Where does the data for Harris Saunders 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 Harris Saunders Dam.