William Phillips Dam At Bedford dam
William Phillips Dam At Bedford
The William Phillips Dam at Bedford, also known as Phillips Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Lamar, Alabama. Built in 1969 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 400 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7 acres. The dam is situated on the Dry Branch stream and is regulated by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the William Phillips Dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 680 cubic feet per second. It is used for fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreational purposes in addition to its primary function of supporting fish and wildlife. While the dam has not been inspected since June 1979, its risk management measures and emergency preparedness status remain unclear.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find the William Phillips Dam at Bedford to be a fascinating study in sustainable land management and wildlife conservation. This privately owned structure, designed by the USDA NRCS, serves as an important habitat for various aquatic species while also providing recreational opportunities for the local community. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam represents a valuable asset in the region's water management infrastructure. Further research and monitoring may be necessary to assess the long-term viability and safety of this essential resource.
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 William Phillips Dam At Bedford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buttahatchee River Nr Aberdeen | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Aberdeen Lock And Dam | 2,690 cfs | → |
| Luxapallila Creek Nr Columbus | 896 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Bigbee | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River Nr Amory | 3,380 cfs | → |
| Buttahatchee River Below Hamilton Al | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near William Phillips Dam At Bedford.
Track William Phillips Dam At Bedford 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 William Phillips Dam At Bedford
Where does the data for William Phillips Dam At Bedford 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 William Phillips Dam At Bedford.