E F Randall Structure dam
E F Randall Structure
The E F Randall Structure, located in Salem, Alabama, is a privately-owned earth dam built in 1968 by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a dam height of 12 feet and a length of 800 feet, this structure has a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. The dam is situated on Chaney Creek in Dallas County, Alabama, within the Mobile District of the USACE.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the E F Randall Structure has a moderate risk assessment due to its location and design features. The spillway of the dam is uncontrolled with a width of 300 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 1883 cubic feet per second. While it is not currently rated for its condition, the structure has not undergone any recent inspections or assessments. Additionally, there are no Emergency Action Plans (EAP) in place for this dam, raising concerns about its preparedness for potential emergencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the E F Randall Structure serves as an interesting case study in dam construction and management. The structure's history, design features, and risk assessment provide valuable insights into the challenges and considerations associated with maintaining water infrastructure for multiple purposes in a changing climate. Further monitoring and evaluation of this dam could help ensure its long-term safety and effectiveness in water resource management.
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 E F Randall Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 175 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 92 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 6,960 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 542 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 3,280 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near E F Randall Structure.
⚓ Boat launches
- Highway 183, Marion
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Six Mile Creek
- Chilatchee Creek
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Paul M Grist State Park
- East Bank/Millers Ferry
- Roland Cooper State Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track E F Randall Structure 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 E F Randall Structure
Where does the data for E F Randall Structure 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 E F Randall Structure.