Ellis Lake dam
Ellis Lake
Ellis Lake in Alabama is a privately owned water resource that was completed in 1966, with a primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet, with a hydraulic height of 27 feet, providing a storage capacity of 118 acre-feet. Located in Jefferson County, the lake is fed by the TR-BLUE CREEK stream and covers an area of 350 feet in length. Despite being non-regulated by the state, Ellis Lake poses a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition assessment.
Water and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the potential for recreational activities at Ellis Lake, as well as the opportunity to explore the surrounding Black Diamond area. The lake offers a serene setting for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. With a maximum discharge capability of 100 cubic feet per second, the lake ensures a steady flow of water for various outdoor activities.
While the exact details of the lake's infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures are not specified, the low hazard potential and lack of state regulation suggest that Ellis Lake is a relatively safe and stable water resource. As a privately owned facility, the lake provides a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Alabama while engaging in recreational pursuits. Whether for a leisurely day of fishing or a peaceful boat ride, Ellis Lake offers a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature.
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 Ellis Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shades Creek Near Greenwood Al | 18 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 47 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 152 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Helena Al | 75 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Acton Al | 15 cfs | → |
| Cahaba Valley Creek At Cross Cr Rd At Pelham | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ellis Lake.
Boat launches
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Terrace Drive Pelham
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
Campgrounds
- Campground #2
- Campground #1
- Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
- Hoover Rv Park
- Burchfield Branch Park
- Blue Creek
Track Ellis 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 Ellis Lake
Where does the data for Ellis 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 Ellis Lake.