Ralph Cole #1 dam
Ralph Cole #1
Ralph Cole #1 is a private earth dam located in Greensboro, Alabama, on Big Prairie Creek. Built in 1984 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond and has a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet. With a dam height of 14 feet and a length of 1100 feet, Ralph Cole #1 covers a surface area of 25 acres and has a drainage area of 0.42 square miles.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Ralph Cole #1 is rated as having a moderate risk level. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 75 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 300 cubic feet per second. The condition assessment of the dam is listed as "Not Rated," and there is no reported inspection frequency or emergency action plan prepared for the structure.
Owned privately and primarily used for fish and wildlife purposes, Ralph Cole #1 represents an important water resource in the area, contributing to conservation efforts and providing habitat for local wildlife. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find this dam's design and purpose intriguing, as well as its location in the scenic landscape of Hale County, Alabama.
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 Ralph Cole #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 4,340 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 5,000 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 637 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Gainesville L&D Nr Gainesville Al | 696 cfs | → |
About Ralph Cole #1
Where does the data for Ralph Cole #1 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 below 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.
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.