Finks Lake dam
Finks Lake
Finks Lake, located in Calhoun, Alabama, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1953 by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a storage capacity of 546 acre-feet and a surface area of 60 acres, Finks Lake provides essential habitat for various fish and wildlife species in the area. The dam, built on TR-Cane Creek, also offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy the serene surroundings and engage in outdoor activities.
Despite its relatively small size, Finks Lake is deemed to have a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. This classification underscores the importance of ensuring the integrity and safety of the dam, especially in the event of emergencies. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, ongoing risk management measures are crucial for safeguarding the surrounding community and environment. As the dam remains unregulated and uninspected by state agencies, proactive monitoring and maintenance efforts by the private owner are essential to mitigate potential risks and protect the ecosystem.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Finks Lake as a vital ecosystem component that supports biodiversity and recreational pursuits in the region. Its role as a Fish and Wildlife Pond underscores the interconnected relationship between water resources, habitat preservation, and outdoor recreation. With a focus on risk management and safety measures, Finks Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible stewardship and proactive maintenance practices in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water infrastructure in Alabama's landscape.
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 Finks Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 143 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 407 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 248 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 115 cfs | → |
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 492 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finks Lake.
Boat launches
- Ohatchee
- St. Clair County
- Coleman Boat Ramp Road Cleburne County
- Riverview Drive St. Clair County
- Woods Bend Road 3100, Ragland
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
Campgrounds
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Pine Glen
- Pine Glen Recreation Area
- Big Oak Gap Hunter Camp
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area
- Coleman Lake Rec Area
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
More reservoirs
Track Finks Lake 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 Finks Lake
Where does the data for Finks Lake 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 Finks Lake.