Rock Mountain Lake dam
Rock Mountain Lake
Rock Mountain Lake, also known as Pawnee Reservoir, is a private water supply dam located in Jefferson County, Alabama. Built in 1936, this Earth-type dam stands at 49 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 43 feet. It has a storage capacity of 254 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 184 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Barton Branch river, within the jurisdiction of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite being privately owned, Rock Mountain Lake serves as a significant water source for the surrounding area. With a maximum discharge rate of 296 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in water supply management for the region. While the dam's hazard potential is considered significant, its condition assessment has not been rated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rock Mountain Lake offers a fascinating example of early 20th-century dam engineering and its importance in providing essential water supply services. As a key infrastructure in Alabama's water management system, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental sustainability in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Rock Mountain Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fivemile Creek At Ketona Al | 43 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 86th St North At Roebuck | 4 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 24th St. At Birmingham | 229 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Republic | 29 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek At Sewage Plant Near Pinson Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Trussville | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Mountain Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
- Echo Lake Lane 7501, Jefferson County
- Inland Lake Blount County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
Track Rock Mountain 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 Rock Mountain Lake
Where does the data for Rock Mountain 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 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 Rock Mountain Lake.