Dream Lake Dam Number Three dam
Dream Lake Dam Number Three
Dream Lake Dam Number Three, also known as Ski Lake No. 3, is a privately owned structure located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 22 feet, with a structural height of 26 feet and a length of 640 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a storage capacity of 1,400 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 4,300 cubic feet per second.
Situated on Rockcastle Creek, Dream Lake Dam Number Three poses a high hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition. Despite being privately owned, the dam is not regulated or inspected by the state, presenting potential risks in the event of an emergency. With no emergency action plan in place and limited information on risk assessment and management measures, there is a need for enhanced safety measures and oversight to ensure the protection of surrounding communities and the environment.
As a significant recreational feature in the area, Dream Lake Dam Number Three warrants attention and proactive measures to address its high hazard potential and lack of state regulation. Water resource and climate enthusiasts should be aware of the dam's existence and potential risks, advocating for increased safety measures and monitoring to prevent any emergencies or failures that could impact the surrounding area and Rockcastle Creek.
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 Dream Lake Dam Number Three -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 138 cfs | → |
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 17 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 76 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 145 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 123 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dream Lake Dam Number Three.
Boat launches
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
Campgrounds
- Campground #1
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Holt Lake
- Deerlick
Fishing spots
Track Dream Lake Dam Number Three 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 Dream Lake Dam Number Three
Where does the data for Dream Lake Dam Number Three 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 High 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 Dream Lake Dam Number Three.