Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike dam
Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike
Guntersville Dam and Guntersville Backwater Dike, also known as Guntersville Lake, is a critical federal water infrastructure located in Marshall, Alabama, along the Tennessee River. Managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), this earth dam was completed in 1939 with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Standing at a height of 39 feet and a length of 12,585 feet, it plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding areas from potential water hazards.
The dam's design, overseen by TVA engineers, features a core made of stone and a foundation supported by soil. With a high hazard potential and a risk assessment rating of 2, it is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to note the importance of this structure in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region. Despite not having a spillway, the Guntersville Dam plays a significant role in regulating water flow along the Tennessee River, especially during times of increased discharge.
Regular inspections and risk management measures are key components of ensuring the structural integrity and operational efficiency of Guntersville Dam and Guntersville Backwater Dike. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the TVA remains actively involved in the maintenance and operation of this essential water resource infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of structures like Guntersville Dam in safeguarding communities and ecosystems becomes increasingly vital for sustainable water management practices.
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 Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Town Creek Near Geraldine Al | 82 cfs | → |
| Paint Rock River Near Woodville Al | 325 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 147 cfs | → |
| Aldridge Creek Near Farley Al | 146 cfs | → |
| Blue Springs Creek Near Blountsville | 8 cfs | → |
| Aldridge C At Sherwood Dr Nr Huntsville | 102 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike.
Boat launches
- U.S. 431 18976, Guntersville
- Highway 69 3374, Guntersville
- Al 227 Guntersville
- Warrenton Road 3408, Guntersville
- Aubrey Carr Scenic Drive Guntersville
- Florida Short Route 26152-26516, Grant
Campgrounds
- Marshall County Park
- Georgia Mountain Rv Resort
- Lake Guntersville State Park
- Town Creek Campground
- Cathedral Caverns State Park
- Bucks Pocket State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
Track Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike 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 Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike
Where does the data for Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike 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 Guntersville Dam - Guntersville Backwater Dike.