Rankins dam
Rankins
Rankins is a private recreational dam located in Calhoun, Alabama, along the TR Terrapin Creek. Built in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 40 acre-feet, Rankins serves as a low hazard potential structure with a condition assessment of "Not Rated".
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Rankins provides a serene environment for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam does not have a state regulatory agency overseeing its operations, inspections, or enforcement. With a distance of 2 miles from Piedmont West and set against the picturesque backdrop of Terrapin Creek, Rankins offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Although Rankins does not have a designated emergency action plan in place or updated inundation maps, its historical significance and recreational value make it a noteworthy site for those interested in water resource management and climate conservation. As part of Congressional District 03 in Alabama, Rankins stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human-made structures and natural landscapes, inviting visitors to appreciate the delicate balance between water conservation and recreational pursuits.
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 Rankins -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 522 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Cedartown | 90 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 511 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Below Tallapoosa | 252 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 239 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Ga Ave At Cedartown | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rankins.
Boat launches
- Coleman Boat Ramp Road Cleburne County
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
- Cherokee County 520, Centre
- Highway 68, Cedar Bluff
- Broad Street Gadsden
- Cherokee County 556, Centre
Campgrounds
- Chief Ladiga Trail Campground
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area
- Coleman Lake Rec Area
- Pine Glen
- Pine Glen Recreation Area
- Big Oak Gap Hunter Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
Track Rankins 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 Rankins
Where does the data for Rankins 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 Rankins.