Wancoole dam
Wancoole
Wancoole, located in St. Clair, Alabama, is a private fish and wildlife pond designed by the USDA NRCS in 1959. This Earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet, with a length of 381 feet, providing a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Wancoole is to support fish and wildlife, as well as recreational activities in the area.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment, Wancoole has not been given a condition rating. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 42 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 985 cubic feet per second. While the dam has not been inspected in recent years, it remains a vital resource for the local community and ecosystem, serving as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the conservation and management of water bodies in the region.
With its rich history and ecological significance, Wancoole stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management. As a private entity, it exemplifies the collaborative efforts between various stakeholders, including the USDA NRCS and local authorities, in ensuring the preservation of natural habitats and recreational opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, Wancoole serves as a reminder of the need for proactive measures to safeguard our valuable aquatic ecosystems.
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 Wancoole -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 274 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 49 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 50 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 92 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 8 cfs | → |
| Blackburn Fork Little Warrior R Nr Holly Springs | 15 cfs | → |
About Wancoole
Where does the data for Wancoole 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 below 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.
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.