Holt Lock And Dam dam
Holt Lock And Dam
Holt Lock and Dam, also known as Holt Lake, is a crucial Federal structure located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, along the Black Warrior River. Completed in 1968, this gravity dam serves primarily for navigation purposes, with additional benefits for hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The dam's impressive hydraulic height of 108 feet and structural height of 120 feet, along with a controlled spillway and a single lock measuring 600 feet in length, ensure efficient water management and safe passage for vessels.
With a storage capacity of 117,990 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 639,500 cubic feet per second, Holt Lock and Dam plays a vital role in the region's water resource management. The dam's high hazard potential necessitates thorough risk management measures by the US Army Corps of Engineers, including regular inspections, emergency action plans, and collaboration with local emergency managers. Despite its essential functions, the dam does not eliminate all flood risks, emphasizing the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and public safety.
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 Holt Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 30 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holt Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
Campgrounds
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
- Blue Creek
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Holt Lock And 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 Holt Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Holt Lock And 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 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 Holt Lock And Dam.