Lake Harris Dam dam
Lake Harris Dam
Lake Harris Dam is a vital structure located in Holt, Alabama, along Yellow Creek. Built in 1929, this arch-type dam serves as a water supply source for the area, with a maximum storage capacity of 3,526 acre-feet. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 54 feet and a structural height of 58 feet, stretching across 696 feet in length. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Managed by the local government, Lake Harris Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Tuscaloosa County. The dam has not undergone any major modifications over the years and does not fall under state regulation or inspection. With a primary purpose of water supply, the dam's construction was completed by the Alabama agency in charge, with no federal agency involvement in ownership, funding, design, construction, regulation, inspection, or operations.
Lake Harris Dam may not be a widely recognized structure, but its significance in providing water supply to the community cannot be understated. Its location along Yellow Creek and its relatively low hazard potential make it a valuable asset in the region's water resource infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Lake Harris will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable water supply for the future.
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 Lake Harris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 9 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 70 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 434 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Harris Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
⛺ Campgrounds
- Deerlick
- Holt Lake
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Blue Creek
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Lake Harris 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 Lake Harris Dam
Where does the data for Lake Harris 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 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 Lake Harris Dam.