Springhill Lake Dam dam
Springhill Lake Dam
Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Springhill Lake Dam is a private-owned structure built in 1955 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 27 feet, with a hydraulic height of 23 feet, this earthen dam holds a storage capacity of 153 acre-feet, making it a significant water resource in the area. The dam is situated on Cypress Creek and is managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a hazard potential rated as high, the condition of the Springhill Lake Dam is currently marked as "Not Rated," suggesting a need for further assessment and maintenance. Despite its age, the dam has not been inspected recently, highlighting a potential risk that needs to be addressed promptly. Additionally, emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are not documented, indicating a need for improved safety protocols in case of unforeseen events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Springhill Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management and maintenance of aging infrastructure. As a vital water resource in the region, the dam's condition and hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety and sustainability of water systems in the face of changing climate patterns. Efforts to assess and mitigate risks associated with the dam will be crucial in safeguarding the surrounding community and ecosystem from potential hazards.
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 Springhill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 8 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Springhill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
Campgrounds
- Holt Lake
- Deerlick
- Moundville Archaeological Park Campground
- Lake Lurleen State Park
- Payne Lake West Side
- Payne Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Springhill 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 Springhill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Springhill 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 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 Springhill Lake Dam.