Lary Lake Dam dam
Lary Lake Dam
Lary Lake Dam, also known as Dells Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Built in 1962 by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans a length of 518 feet, with a storage capacity of 357 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is to serve as a fish and wildlife pond, enhancing recreational opportunities in the area.
With a drainage area of 0.34 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1030 cubic feet per second, Lary Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. The dam's spillway, of uncontrolled type and with a width of 61 feet, helps regulate water levels and prevent potential flooding downstream. While it is rated as having a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition remains unrated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
As a notable feature in the landscape of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Lary Lake Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and environmental conservation. Its construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflects a commitment to enhancing fish and wildlife habitats while providing recreational opportunities for residents. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive risk management strategies in safeguarding critical infrastructure for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Lary Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 1,730 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 62 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 10 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lary Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Binion Creek Landing Park
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
Campgrounds
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
- Blue Creek
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lary 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 Lary Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lary 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 Significant 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 Lary Lake Dam.