Wagon Wheel Lake Dam dam
Wagon Wheel Lake Dam
Wagon Wheel Lake Dam, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a private structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 1960, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a length of 270 feet, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. Although the dam is not regulated by the state and has not been inspected since 1978, its hazard potential is considered low with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3.
The dam, situated on TR-Tierce Creek, features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 70 feet and no associated locks. Despite its age and lack of recent inspections, Wagon Wheel Lake Dam continues to provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat in the Macedonia Church Community. The risk management measures and emergency preparedness status of the dam remain unclear, highlighting potential areas for improvement in ensuring the safety and integrity of this essential water resource infrastructure for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wagon Wheel Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure with historical significance in providing habitat for aquatic life. With its unique design and purpose, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing human needs with environmental conservation efforts. As discussions around dam safety and management continue, Wagon Wheel Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, ecological preservation, and community engagement in the heart of Alabama's scenic 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 Wagon Wheel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 30 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Northport Al | 811 cfs | → |
| Cribbs Mill Creek At Ww Plant At Tuscaloosa | 64 cfs | → |
| Sipsey River Nr Elrod | 151 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wagon Wheel Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Binion Creek Landing Park
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- 7th Avenue Northeast 401-599, Tuscaloosa
Track Wagon Wheel Lake Dam 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 Wagon Wheel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wagon Wheel Lake Dam 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 Wagon Wheel Lake Dam.