Thornton Lake dam
Thornton Lake
Thornton Lake, located in Jefferson County, Alabama, is a private recreational lake with a dam that was completed in 1920. The lake, situated near Falls Creek, has a significant hazard potential and a hydraulic height of 15 feet, with a structural height of 18 feet. With a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet, Thornton Lake offers a serene environment for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Thornton Lake presents a beautiful landscape and a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking to unwind in nature. With a maximum discharge of 150 cubic feet per second, the lake offers a safe recreational environment for individuals looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The dam, primarily constructed for recreational purposes, stands at a length of 1750 feet and a normal storage capacity of 120 acre-feet, providing ample space for water-based activities.
Although not rated for its condition assessment, Thornton Lake remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, boasting a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. The lake is a testament to human ingenuity and the harmonious coexistence between water resources and recreational activities. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Thornton Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural landscapes while enjoying the benefits of outdoor recreation in a safe and sustainable manner.
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 Thornton Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Locust Fork At Sayre | 395 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Fork At Cordova Al | 989 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Docena | 39 cfs | → |
| Fivemile Creek Near Republic | 23 cfs | → |
| Village Creek Near Pratt City | 40 cfs | → |
| Village Creek At Avenue W At Ensley | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thornton Lake.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Bevill Drive Cordova
- Highway 78 8090, Cordova
- Smith Lake Dam Road 8067-8697, Jasper
- Lick Creek Boat Ramp
- County Road 8 Winston County
Campgrounds
- Rickwood Caverns State Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Blue Creek
- Hoover Rv Park
- Clear Creek Recreation Area
- Campground #2
Track Thornton 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 Thornton Lake
Where does the data for Thornton 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 Significant 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 Thornton Lake.