Owen Kenan Dam dam
Owen Kenan Dam
Located in North West Selma, Alabama, the Owen Kenan Dam is a private-owned structure built in 1970 primarily for recreation purposes. Situated on the TR-Fourmile Creek, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a hydraulic height of 23 feet and a length of 450 feet. With a storage capacity of 92 acre-feet, the dam is capable of holding a maximum storage of 92 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 84 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and being designated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the Owen Kenan Dam provides a vital recreational resource for the surrounding community. Operated without state regulation or inspection, the dam serves as an important landmark in Dallas County, Alabama. While lacking certain structural details such as dam volume and surface area, the dam's purpose in providing recreational opportunities is evident through its design and location.
Managed by private owners and not affiliated with any federal agency, the Owen Kenan Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation at a local level. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate change, the unique characteristics of this dam serve as a reminder of the diverse infrastructure that plays a role in sustaining our environment and communities.
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 Owen Kenan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 845 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 110 cfs | → |
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 31 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River At Centreville Al | 321 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 4,390 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near West Blocton Al | 150 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Owen Kenan Dam.
Boat launches
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
- Highway 183, Marion
- Brinson Court Lowndes County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Wilcox County
Campgrounds
- Paul M Grist State Park
- Six Mile Creek
- Jones Bluff
- Prairie Creek
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Hunters Camp
Fishing spots
Track Owen Kenan 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 Owen Kenan Dam
Where does the data for Owen Kenan 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 Owen Kenan Dam.