Killough dam
Killough
Killough is a privately owned Earth dam located in Talladega, Alabama, along the TR Talladega Creek. Built in 1950 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including Fire Protection, Stock, Fish and Wildlife Pond, and Recreation. With a dam height of 13 feet and a length of 1400 feet, Killough has a storage capacity of 197 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 114 acre-feet.
The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. It has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge of 85 cubic feet per second. Despite being privately owned, the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, or enforcement. The risk assessment for Killough is moderate, with a DSAC assigned date and no specific risk management measures noted.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Killough presents an interesting case study of a privately owned Earth dam in Alabama. Its multiple purposes and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of dams to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment. The involvement of the USDA NRCS in its design and construction adds an additional layer of interest for those interested in the intersection of government agencies and water resource management.
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 Killough -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Talladega Creek At Alpine Al | 105 cfs | → |
| Coosa River At Childersburg Al | 681 cfs | → |
| Kelly Creek Near Vincent Al | 31 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 287 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Below Leeds | 5 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Killough.
Boat launches
- Hollywood Boulevard 449, Childersburg
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
- Bells Lane St. Clair County
- Al 77 Lincoln
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
- Woods Bend Road 3100, Ragland
Campgrounds
- Lake Chinnabee
- Turnipseed Hunter Camp
- Turnipseed Campground
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Cheaha State Park
Fishing spots
Track Killough 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 Killough
Where does the data for Killough 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.