Ward Estate Dam dam
Ward Estate Dam
Ward Estate Dam in Tyler, Alabama, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1950. This Earth-type dam, with a height of 16 feet and length of 800 feet, serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing a storage capacity of 210 acre-feet. Located on TR-SOAPSTONE CR in Dallas County, Ward Estate Dam is managed by the owner with no state jurisdiction or regulation.
The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a crucial component for managing water resources in the area. With a spillway width of 100 feet and a maximum discharge of 1303 cubic feet per second, the dam helps regulate water flow and supports the local ecosystem. Despite its age, the condition of Ward Estate Dam is not rated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness.
As a hub for fish and wildlife preservation, Ward Estate Dam plays a vital role in sustaining the ecological balance in the region. Its presence not only supports aquatic life but also contributes to the broader climate resilience efforts in the area. With a focus on risk management and safety measures, Ward Estate Dam stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Ward Estate Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 110 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 817 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 29 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 5,810 cfs | → |
| Catoma Creek Near Montgomery Al | 8 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Mont.-Mont. Water Works | 850 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Estate Dam.
Boat launches
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
- Brinson Court Lowndes County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Wilcox County
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
Campgrounds
- Prairie Creek
- Six Mile Creek
- Jones Bluff
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Paul M Grist State Park
- Gunter Hill
Track Ward Estate 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 Ward Estate Dam
Where does the data for Ward Estate 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 Ward Estate Dam.