Pates Lake Dam dam
Pates Lake Dam
Pates Lake Dam, also known as Dillburg Pates Lake Dam, is a privately owned earth dam located in Pickens, Alabama. Built in 1945 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves as a recreational site along the TR-Lubub Creek. Standing at a height of 27 feet and with a length of 800 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 692 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1750 cfs. Although the dam has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 125 feet, its hazard potential is rated as low, with a moderate risk assessment score of 3.
Despite being privately owned, Pates Lake Dam is not regulated by the state, nor does it require state permitting, inspection, or enforcement. The dam is primarily used for recreational purposes, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to its serene location in Cunningham Camp. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, its risk management measures and emergency action plan readiness are not disclosed. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, Pates Lake Dam continues to be a noteworthy landmark in the region, offering a glimpse into Alabama's water resource management practices and its impact on the surrounding environment.
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 Pates Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee River At Bevill L&D Nr Pickensville | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 302 cfs | → |
| Noxubee River Nr Geiger | 390 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Gainesville L&D Nr Gainesville Al | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Noxubee River At Macon | 205 cfs | → |
| Luxapallila Creek Nr Columbus | 331 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pates Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pickensville
- Cochrane Access Area Road Pickens County
- Pickens County
- Spurlock Road 2639, Lowndes County
Campgrounds
- Cochrane
- Sumter Rec Area
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Lock 8
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
- Jennings Ferry
Fishing spots
Track Pates 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 Pates Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pates 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 Pates Lake Dam.