Washington County Public Lake dam
Washington County Public Lake
Washington County Public Lake, also known as Emmit Wood Lake Dam, is a state-owned recreational gem located in West Millry, Alabama. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 31 feet and has a hydraulic height of 25 feet. With a storage capacity of 770 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 6000 cubic feet per second, this dam on TR-Crosbys Creek provides a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities.
The dam, managed by the state of Alabama, offers a tranquil retreat for fishing, boating, and picnicking in the heart of Washington County. While the dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, it is currently rated as 'Not Rated' in terms of condition assessment. Despite lacking a formal emergency action plan and inundation maps, the dam's risk management measures and overall safety protocols are yet to be fully documented and assessed.
For those interested in water resource and climate conservation, Washington County Public Lake presents an intriguing case study in state-owned recreational infrastructure. With its scenic surroundings, diverse recreational opportunities, and potential risk factors, this dam serves as a focal point for ongoing discussions on dam safety, emergency preparedness, and sustainable water resource management in the region.
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 Washington County Public Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee R At Coffeeville L&D Nr Coffeeville | 10,400 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhay River Nr Waynesboro | 2,310 cfs | → |
| Satilpa Creek Near Coffeeville Al | 81 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhay River At Leakesville | 4,880 cfs | → |
| Bassett Creek At Us Highway 43 Nr Thomasville | 2 cfs | → |
| Bogue Homo Nr Richton | 556 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washington County Public Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Bladon Springs State Park
- Service
- St. Stephens Historical Park
- Saint Stephens Park Primitive Campground
- Saint Stephens Park Campground
- Old Lock 1 - Coffeeville Lake
Paddle runs
- Begins Approximately 2 River Miles Downstream From The Yellowhouse Branch Confluence With The Escatawpa River Near The Town Of Deer Park, Alabama To Ends Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge
- The Confluence With Scarsborough Creek To The Confluence With The Escatawpa River
- Begins Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge To The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge
Track Washington County Public 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 Washington County Public Lake
Where does the data for Washington County Public 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 Significant 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 Washington County Public Lake.