Robert Free #3 dam
Robert Free #3
Located in Orrville, Alabama, Robert Free #3 is a private fish and wildlife pond designed by USDA NRCS in 1998. This Earth dam stands at a height of 10.3 feet and stretches 2900 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 116.13 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres. The dam is situated on the TR CAHABA river, within the Mobile District of Alabama, and is owned and operated by a private entity.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Robert Free #3 serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife conservation in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 10 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 15 cubic feet per second. While the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the dam's design and purpose contribute to the overall ecological health of the surrounding environment, making it an important asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and support.
As an Earth dam with a primary purpose of fish and wildlife conservation, Robert Free #3 plays a significant role in the local ecosystem of Dallas County, Alabama. While not regulated by the state, the dam serves as a valuable habitat for various species and contributes to the overall biodiversity of the region. With its unique design and purpose-driven construction, Robert Free #3 stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate-conscious infrastructure development in the modern era.
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 Robert Free #3 -- 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 | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 81 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 471 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 5,990 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robert Free #3.
Boat launches
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Highway 183, Marion
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
Campgrounds
- Six Mile Creek
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Chilatchee Creek
- Paul M Grist State Park
- East Bank/Millers Ferry
- Roland Cooper State Park
Fishing spots
Track Robert Free #3 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 Robert Free #3
Where does the data for Robert Free #3 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 Robert Free #3.