William Dale Dam dam
William Dale Dam
William Dale Dam, located in Hale County, Alabama, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1970 for recreational purposes along the TR-Big Prairie Creek. With a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a structural height of 21 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 850 cubic feet per second. The dam also serves as a significant hazard potential due to its proximity to Sunshine High School and surrounding areas.
Managed by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, William Dale Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment and lacks an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) according to available data. Despite its lack of regulatory oversight from the state, the dam continues to be a key recreational spot for residents and visitors alike, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. With its rich history dating back over 50 years, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the risk management measures for William Dale Dam remain unclear. While the dam has not experienced any major modifications or incidents in recent years, it is crucial for the owners and relevant agencies to prioritize the safety and maintenance of the structure to ensure the protection of downstream communities and the environment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to monitor and advocate for the proper management of dams like William Dale to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding ecosystem for future generations.
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 William Dale Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee R At Demopolis L&D Near Coatopa | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 263 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 698 cfs | → |
| Elliotts Creek At Moundville Al | 8 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 326 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near William Dale Dam.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track William Dale 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 William Dale Dam
Where does the data for William Dale 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 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 William Dale Dam.