John Davidson dam
John Davidson
John Davidson, also known as Davidson Lake, is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Sawyerville, Alabama. Constructed in 1969 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a length of 700 feet. With a storage capacity of 106 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.11 square miles, it serves as a low hazard potential structure along the TR-Black Warrior river.
Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, John Davidson provides valuable habitat for aquatic life and recreational opportunities for the local community. The dam's uncontrolled spillway with a width of 60 feet allows for the safe release of excess water, while the moderate risk assessment indicates the need for ongoing monitoring and management. Although its condition is currently not rated, the structure's importance for fish and wildlife conservation remains a priority for the USDA NRCS.
In the congressional district represented by Terri A. Sewell, John Davidson serves as a vital resource for water management and climate resilience in the region. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to recognize the role of privately owned structures like Davidson Lake in supporting biodiversity and sustainable practices. By understanding and appreciating the efforts of organizations like the USDA NRCS in designing and maintaining such facilities, we can contribute to the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment.
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 John Davidson -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 2,440 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 5,990 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 11 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Gainesville L&D Nr Gainesville Al | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,370 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Davidson.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track John Davidson 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 John Davidson
Where does the data for John Davidson 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 John Davidson.