Gault Lake Dam dam
Gault Lake Dam
Gault Lake Dam, located in Lamar, Alabama, was constructed in 1950 by the USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. The dam, with a height of 20 feet and a length of 400 feet, has a maximum storage capacity of 116 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 40 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 665 cubic feet per second.
Despite being privately owned, Gault Lake Dam is regulated by the state of Alabama and falls under the jurisdiction of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Although it has not been inspected since 1979 and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam continues to serve its purpose of providing habitat for fish and wildlife as well as recreational opportunities for the community surrounding Mud Creek.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gault Lake Dam represents a unique example of a privately owned earth dam that contributes to the local ecosystem while also posing a moderate risk in terms of potential hazards. The dam's location in a small drainage area of 0.06 square miles and its limited surface area of 12 acres make it a key feature in the region's water management and conservation efforts. As efforts to assess and manage the dam's condition and risk continue, it remains an important structure for both wildlife and recreational purposes in the area.
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 Gault Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buttahatchee River Nr Aberdeen | 292 cfs | → |
| Luxapallila Creek Nr Columbus | 179 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Stennis Lock And Dam | 850 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Aberdeen Lock And Dam | 2,810 cfs | → |
| Catalpa Creek At Mayhew | 2,940 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Bevill L&D Nr Pickensville | 1,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gault Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Track Gault Lake 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 Gault Lake Dam
Where does the data for Gault Lake 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 Gault Lake Dam.