Branchland Lake Dam dam
Branchland Lake Dam
Branchland Lake Dam, also known as Branchland Farms, is a privately owned earth dam located in Baldwin County, Alabama. Completed in 1958, this recreational dam stands at a structural height of 18 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet, providing a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. Situated on Cowpen Creek-offstream, the dam serves as a popular spot for water activities in the area, offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy.
Despite being privately owned, Branchland Lake Dam is not regulated or inspected by the state authorities, with a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is not rated. The dam's emergency action plan status, as well as its risk assessment and management measures, remain unclear. However, the dam's purpose of recreation and its historical significance as a water resource in Alabama make it an intriguing location for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
Located within Congressional District 01, Alabama, Branchland Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with nature and water resources in a tranquil setting. As a part of the Mobile District in Alabama, this dam represents a piece of the state's water infrastructure that continues to play a vital role in providing recreational opportunities for the local community and beyond.
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 Branchland Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fish River Near Silver Hill Al | 53 cfs | → |
| Magnolia River At Us 98 Near Foley | 21 cfs | → |
| Styx River Near Elsanor | 175 cfs | → |
| Fowl River At Half-Mile Rd Near Laurendine | 17 cfs | → |
| Perdido River At Barrineau Park | 275 cfs | → |
| Chickasaw Creek Near Kushla Al | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Branchland Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pier Avenue 3, Fairhope
- County Road 26 13239, Baldwin County
- Spanish Fort
- Battleship Parkway 1675, Spanish Fort
- Battleship Parkway 1267-1989, Spanish Fort
- Milk Wort Trail Foley
Campgrounds
- Meaher State Park
- Blakeley State Park
- Gulf State Park
- Outpost Campsites
- Dauphin Island City Park
- Chickasabogue Park
Paddle runs
- Begins Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge To The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge
- The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge To Ends Approximately 2 River Miles From The Southern Terminus Of The Study Area
- The Confluence With Scarsborough Creek To The Confluence With The Escatawpa River
Track Branchland 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 Branchland Lake Dam
Where does the data for Branchland 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 Branchland Lake Dam.