Vestavia Lake dam
Vestavia Lake
Vestavia Lake, located in N Rocky Ridge, Alabama, is a private recreational lake fed by the TR-Little Shades Creek. Constructed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 26 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a length of 360 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 750 cubic feet per second, making it a significant water resource in Jefferson County.
Despite being primarily used for recreation, Vestavia Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its condition assessment being not rated. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam is not currently prepared or updated, raising concerns about the lack of risk management measures in place. As a water resource enthusiast, understanding the potential risks associated with Vestavia Lake can serve as a reminder of the importance of proper dam maintenance and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
With its captivating history dating back to the 1950s and its role as a vital recreational spot in Alabama, Vestavia Lake presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As the lake continues to be a focal point for outdoor activities in the region, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize the assessment and management of potential risks to safeguard this valuable water resource for future generations.
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 Vestavia Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 13 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 74 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Mountain Brook Al | 48 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Hoover | 18 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek At Center St At Birmingham | 9 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vestavia Lake.
Boat launches
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
Campgrounds
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #1
- Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
Track Vestavia Lake 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 Vestavia Lake
Where does the data for Vestavia Lake 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 Vestavia Lake.