Ratcliffe Dam dam
Ratcliffe Dam
Ratcliffe Dam, also known as James C Ratcliffe Pond, is a private-owned structure located in Wilcox County, Alabama. Built in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional purposes including recreation. The dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a capacity of 113 acre-feet, providing vital support for the local ecosystem and recreational activities.
Situated on TR-BIG GOOSE CREEK, Ratcliffe Dam is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and falls under the jurisdiction of the Mobile District. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area. While not currently rated for its condition, the dam continues to be a valuable resource for the community, offering wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water storage capabilities.
Although not under state regulation or inspection, Ratcliffe Dam remains a significant feature in the landscape of Wilcox County, Alabama. With a spillway width of 44 feet and a maximum discharge of 420 cubic feet per second, the dam ensures the controlled release of water and helps mitigate potential flooding risks. The dam's construction and ongoing management reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship and water resource conservation 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 Ratcliffe Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bassett Creek At Us Highway 43 Nr Thomasville | 1 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 25 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Alabama River At Claiborne L&D Near Monroeville | 8,950 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 683 cfs | → |
| Satilpa Creek Near Coffeeville Al | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ratcliffe Dam.
Boat launches
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Wilcox County
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Ezell Road Choctaw County
Campgrounds
- East Bank/Millers Ferry
- Chilatchee Creek
- Roland Cooper State Park
- Chickasaw State Park
- Bells Landing
- Haines Island
Fishing spots
Track Ratcliffe 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 Ratcliffe Dam
Where does the data for Ratcliffe 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 Ratcliffe Dam.