Boyles Gap Lake dam
Boyles Gap Lake
Boyles Gap Lake, located in Jefferson County, Alabama, is a privately owned earth dam structure completed in 1920 with a primary purpose of recreation. The lake has a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-Five Mile Creek and is managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Boyles Gap Lake offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. The lake covers an area of 1400 feet in length and serves as a popular recreational spot in the Boyle Gap community. Despite not being regulated by the state, the lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
Although lacking detailed data on inspection frequency and emergency preparedness, Boyles Gap Lake remains a picturesque destination for those looking to appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate in a natural setting. The lake's historical significance, combined with its recreational offerings, make it a valuable asset for the local community and a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts to discover in Alabama's landscape.
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 Boyles Gap Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fivemile Creek At Ketona Al | 43 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 24th St. At Birmingham | 229 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At 86th St North At Roebuck | 4 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Republic | 29 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek At Center St At Birmingham | 9 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At Avenue W At Ensley | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boyles Gap Lake.
Boat launches
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
- Echo Lake Lane 7501, Jefferson County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
Campgrounds
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Rickwood Caverns State Park
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #1
Track Boyles Gap 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 Boyles Gap Lake
Where does the data for Boyles Gap 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 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 Boyles Gap Lake.