Elmer Dunnam dam
Elmer Dunnam
Elmer Dunnam, a private dam located in Coosa, Alabama, was completed in 1968 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 37 feet and a hydraulic height of 28 feet, this earth dam spans 340 feet across the TR Hatchett Creek, providing a storage capacity of 296 acre-feet. The dam is situated in a picturesque location near McEwin Springs, offering water resource and climate enthusiasts a unique opportunity to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
Despite being privately owned, Elmer Dunnam has a low hazard potential and is not currently regulated or inspected by the state. The dam has not been rated for its condition, but it continues to serve its recreational purpose effectively. Its location within the Mobile District of Alabama also makes it an interesting site for those interested in the state's water resource management and infrastructure.
While Elmer Dunnam may not have the same level of federal oversight as other dams, its historical significance and contribution to local recreation make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. With its tranquil setting along the TR Hatchett Creek and its unique design as an earth dam, this privately owned structure offers a glimpse into Alabama's diverse water infrastructure landscape.
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 Elmer Dunnam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchet Creek Below Rockford Al | 168 cfs | → |
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 106 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 677 cfs | → |
| Coosa River At Childersburg Al | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 109 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elmer Dunnam.
Boat launches
- Johnson Creek Road Coosa County
- Coosa County
- Boat Ramp Road, Jacksons' Gap
- County Road 28 11455, Chilton County
- Our Children's Highway 15529-15531, Alexander City
- County Road 607, Clanton
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Elmer Dunnam 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 Elmer Dunnam
Where does the data for Elmer Dunnam 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 Elmer Dunnam.