Acton Lake dam
Acton Lake
Acton Lake, also known as Altadena Lake, is a private recreational water resource located in Shelby County, Alabama. The lake is situated in the Altadena Valley Golf & Country Club and is fed by the Cahaba River. Completed in 1955, the Earth dam that forms the lake stands at a height of 18 feet with a hydraulic height of 13 feet. Acton Lake has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering activities such as boating and fishing.
Despite its low hazard potential, Acton Lake has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam's structural integrity remains intact, providing a safe environment for water enthusiasts to enjoy the natural surroundings. The lake's maximum discharge capacity is 1240 cubic feet per second, ensuring proper water flow management. While there are no associated structures or locks, Acton Lake offers a peaceful and serene setting for visitors to relax and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.
Acton Lake, with its pristine waters and picturesque location, is a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The lake's proximity to the Cahaba River and its recreational amenities make it an ideal spot for outdoor activities. With its low hazard potential and well-maintained dam, Acton Lake provides a safe and enjoyable experience for all who visit. Whether for boating, fishing, or simply taking in the scenic views, Acton Lake offers a tranquil escape in the heart of Shelby County, Alabama.
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 Acton Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Cahaba Heights Al | 12 cfs | → |
| Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al | 74 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Hoover | 16 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Mountain Brook Al | 48 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 15 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Acton Lake.
Boat launches
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Highlands Drive Trussville
- Beeswax Park Road 2-750, Columbiana
- Old Mill Trail 7098, Clay
- Kelly Creek Boat Landing, Vincent
- Lake In The Woods Road Jefferson County
Campgrounds
- Oak Mountain State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Campground #2
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Campground #1
- Brierfield Ironworks Historical Park
Track Acton 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 Acton Lake
Where does the data for Acton 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 Acton Lake.