Coleman Lake dam
Coleman Lake
Coleman Lake, located in Cleburne, Alabama, is a picturesque reservoir on Coleman Creek that offers a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Managed by the USDA Forest Service, this recreational lake was completed in 1965 with a primary purpose of providing outdoor enjoyment for visitors. With a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet and a low hazard potential, Coleman Lake is a tranquil spot for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
The earth dam that forms Coleman Lake stands at 32 feet tall and stretches 205 feet in length, serving as a vital structure for water management in the area. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway at the lake ensures that excess water can safely flow downstream, with a maximum discharge rate of 4200 cubic feet per second. The risk assessment for Coleman Lake is moderate, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and management to maintain the safety and integrity of the dam.
Although not currently rated for condition assessment, Coleman Lake remains a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking solace in nature. With its serene surroundings, recreational opportunities, and low hazard potential, this reservoir on Coleman Creek is a valuable asset for the community and a source of enjoyment for all who visit.
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 Coleman Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 198 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Below Tallapoosa | 89 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 120 cfs | → |
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 171 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Ga Ave At Cedartown | 5 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedartown | 90 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coleman Lake.
Boat launches
- Coleman Boat Ramp Road Cleburne County
- County Road 88 Randolph County
- Randolph County
- Pointe South Drive Randolph County
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
- Cherokee County 556, Centre
Campgrounds
- Coleman Lake Rec Area
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area
- Big Oak Gap Hunter Camp
- Pine Glen Recreation Area
- Pine Glen
- Chief Ladiga Trail Campground
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
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
Track Coleman 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 Coleman Lake
Where does the data for Coleman 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 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 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 Coleman Lake.