Bonds Lake Dam dam
Bonds Lake Dam
Bonds Lake Dam, located in Winston County, Alabama, serves primarily as a recreational water resource for the community. The dam, completed in 1960, stands at a hydraulic height of 35 feet and a structural height of 37 feet, with a length of 300 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet, making it a key feature for water supply and flood control in the area.
Managed by a private owner, Bonds Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition assessment. Despite lacking state regulation and inspection, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. The surrounding area, including the Chambers Branch river, offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and wildlife observation.
As a part of the Mobile District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bonds Lake Dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in Alabama. While the dam may not have a designated spillway or outlet gates, its presence plays a crucial role in water conservation and environmental protection in the region. With its rich history and ongoing recreational significance, Bonds Lake Dam remains an important landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 Bonds Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear C At New Hope Church Nr Poplar Springs | 43 cfs | → |
| Sipsey Fork Near Grayson Al | 29 cfs | → |
| Blackwater Creek Near Manchester Al | 60 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Above Parrish | 128 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Fork At Cordova Al | 393 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Falkville Al | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bonds Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Glades Road Winston County
- County Road 8 Winston County
- County Road 79 Bear Creek
- County Road 10 1522, Franklin County
- Smith Lake Dam Road 8067-8697, Jasper
- Lick Creek Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Corinth Recreation Area
- Wolf Pen Hunters Camp
- Claymore Camp #1
- Clear Creek Recreation Area
- Brushy Lake Recreation Area
- Brushy Lake Recreational Area Campground
Track Bonds Lake 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 Bonds Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bonds Lake 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 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 Bonds Lake Dam.