Upper Bear Creek Dam dam
Upper Bear Creek Dam
Upper Bear Creek Dam, located in Bear Creek, Alabama, is a vital structure managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for flood risk reduction. Completed in 1978, this earth dam stands at a height of 85 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 40,100 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Bear Creek River and covers a surface area of 1,470 acres, serving multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply for the region.
With a high hazard potential, Upper Bear Creek Dam features a spillway width of 450 feet and is equipped with slide gates and uncontrolled outlets. Despite its age, the dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate, reflecting its structural integrity and management. TVA is responsible for the operation, inspection, and regulation of the dam, ensuring its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding communities.
Although not state-regulated, Upper Bear Creek Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the area from flooding events and providing recreational opportunities for residents. With its scenic location and significant impact on water resources, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Upper Bear Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sipsey Fork Near Grayson Al | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Clear C At New Hope Church Nr Poplar Springs | 66 cfs | → |
| Buttahatchee River Below Hamilton Al | 283 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Red Bay | 261 cfs | → |
| Bull Mountain Creek At Tremont | 89 cfs | → |
| Big Nance Creek At Courtland Al | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Bear Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 79 Bear Creek
- County Road 10 1522, Franklin County
- Massey Branch Boat Launch
- County Road 27 Franklin County
- Cotton Gin Road Franklin County
- Piney Point Road Franklin County
Campgrounds
- Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
- Williams Hollow Campground
- Claymore Camp #1
- Mcdougle Camp
- Brushy Lake Recreational Area Campground
- Brushy Lake Recreation Area
Track Upper Bear Creek 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 Upper Bear Creek Dam
Where does the data for Upper Bear Creek 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 Upper Bear Creek Dam.