Slurry Impoundment No. 1 dam
Slurry Impoundment No. 1
Slurry Impoundment No. 1, located in Brookwood, Alabama, is a private-owned structure managed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. This Earth-type dam stands at an impressive height of 80 feet and has a storage capacity of 960 acre-feet. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the last inspection conducted in June 2014 revealed that the condition assessment was not available, raising concerns about the overall safety and maintenance of the impoundment.
Although Slurry Impoundment No. 1 is not regulated by the state and does not require permitting or inspections, its location in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, adds to the importance of monitoring its structural integrity and potential environmental impact. With a conservative approach to risk management measures and emergency preparedness, this impoundment serves as a reminder of the critical role that proper maintenance and monitoring play in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate-related risks in vulnerable areas.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for sustainable practices and policies, Slurry Impoundment No. 1 stands as a symbol of the ongoing need for transparency, accountability, and proactive measures in ensuring the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions. It serves as a case study for the ongoing dialogue around the intersection of water management, climate adaptation, and regulatory oversight in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from potential hazards.
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 Slurry Impoundment No. 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 138 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 8 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 676 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 145 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Slurry Impoundment No. 1.
Boat launches
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Binion Creek Landing Park
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Slurry Impoundment No. 1 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 Slurry Impoundment No. 1
Where does the data for Slurry Impoundment No. 1 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 Slurry Impoundment No. 1.