Sara Ealum dam
Sara Ealum
Sara Ealum is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Cahaba, Alabama, within Dallas County. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam structure was completed in 1995 and serves as a habitat for various aquatic species. With a storage capacity of 151 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres, Sara Ealum also plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the TR Cahaba river.
Despite not being regulated by the state or federal agencies, Sara Ealum is considered to have a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The spillway, though uncontrolled, has a width of 60 feet and can handle a maximum discharge of 195 cubic feet per second. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, its purpose as a fish and wildlife pond underscores its importance in supporting local ecosystem diversity and conservation efforts.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the data on Sara Ealum provides valuable insights into the role of private structures in enhancing environmental sustainability. With its unique design and strategic location, this dam not only contributes to habitat preservation but also serves as a potential model for community-driven conservation initiatives. By understanding and promoting the significance of such structures, we can work towards a more resilient and ecologically balanced future for our water resources and natural landscapes.
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 Sara Ealum -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 155 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 471 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 81 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 5,990 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 225 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sara Ealum.
Boat launches
- Highway 183, Marion
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
Campgrounds
- Paul M Grist State Park
- Six Mile Creek
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Jones Bluff
- Hunters Camp
- Chilatchee Creek
Fishing spots
Track Sara Ealum 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 Sara Ealum
Where does the data for Sara Ealum 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 Sara Ealum.