Weiss - Saddle Dike C dam
Weiss - Saddle Dike C
Weiss - Saddle Dike C is a public utility infrastructure located in Centre, Alabama, within the Cherokee County. Built in 1961 by Southern Company Services, this earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans a length of 3,319 feet along the Coosa River. The primary purpose of the dam is for hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities, with a storage capacity of 306,400 acre-feet and a surface area of 30,200 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Weiss - Saddle Dike C has a high hazard potential due to its location and design. The dam does not have a spillway and lacks outlet gates, which enhances its risk factor. While the condition assessment of the dam is not available, emergency action plans have been prepared in compliance with guidelines, last revised in December 2020. The dam's risk assessment is rated as high (2), prompting the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures.
Despite being under federal oversight, Weiss - Saddle Dike C does not fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With its critical role in hydroelectric power generation and water resource management, this dam serves as a vital component of the infrastructure within the region. As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure resilience, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Weiss - Saddle Dike C are crucial to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability in the face of evolving challenges.
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 Weiss - Saddle Dike C -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Blue Pond Al | 241 cfs | → |
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 168 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Above Gaylesville Al | 346 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 143 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek At State Hwy 35 Nr Fort Payne | 30 cfs | → |
| Town Creek Near Geraldine Al | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Weiss - Saddle Dike C .
Boat launches
- Cherokee County 520, Centre
- Highway 68, Cedar Bluff
- Cherokee County 556, Centre
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
- Broad Street Gadsden
- Floyd County
Campgrounds
- Noccalula Falls Campground
- Chief Ladiga Trail Campground
- De Soto State Park
- Coosa River County Park
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area
- Coleman Lake Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
Track Weiss - Saddle Dike C 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 Weiss - Saddle Dike C
Where does the data for Weiss - Saddle Dike C 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 Weiss - Saddle Dike C .