Wilson Dam dam
Wilson Dam
Wilson Dam, located on the Tennessee River in Lauderdale, Alabama, is a captivating engineering marvel designed by TVA and USACE. Completed in 1924, this concrete gravity dam stands at a height of 113 feet, with a hydraulic height of 103 feet and a structural height of 137 feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, but it also serves as a hydroelectric power source, aids in navigation, provides recreation opportunities, and supplies water. The dam has a storage capacity of 674,220 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 15,600 acres, making it a key water resource in the region.
Wilson Dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 1,862 feet and two vertical lift outlet gates. It also features two locks with a length of 600 feet and a width of 110 feet for navigation purposes. Over the years, the dam has undergone several modifications for structural and mechanical improvements, with the most recent in 2017. With a very high risk assessment rating, Wilson Dam is considered a significant asset for flood control and water management in the area, although its hazard potential is deemed high due to its age and condition assessment not being available. Despite these challenges, Wilson Dam remains a vital component of the Tennessee River system, showcasing the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change.
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 Wilson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress Creek Near Florence Al | 251 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Iron City | 601 cfs | → |
| Big Nance Creek At Courtland Al | 21 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Bishop | 4,330 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Red Bay | 261 cfs | → |
| Sipsey Fork Near Grayson Al | 1,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Dam.
Boat launches
- North Wilson Dam Road Colbert County
- Florence
- Rockpile Trail Colbert County
- Riverfront Drive 166-190, Sheffield
- Six Pence Road Lauderdale County
- Alloys Park Lane Colbert County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Wilson 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 Wilson Dam
Where does the data for Wilson 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 High 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 Wilson Dam.