Optimist Lake dam
Optimist Lake
Optimist Lake, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a private recreational lake primarily used for leisure activities. Built in 1936, this Earth dam spans 456 feet in length and stands at a structural height of 17 feet, with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. The lake has a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 95 acre-feet, providing ample water for various recreational purposes.
Despite its age, Optimist Lake has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, but with its historical significance and recreational value, it is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The lake also serves as a vital reservoir for the local community, with a maximum discharge capacity of 500 cubic feet per second.
Situated along Milkhouse Creek in the City of Mobile, Optimist Lake offers a serene environment for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and picnicking. While it may not be regulated or inspected by state authorities, its tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings make it a beloved spot for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Alabama.
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 Optimist Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Creek At Snow Road Near Semmes | 12 cfs | → |
| Chickasaw Creek Near Kushla Al | 155 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Fairview | 8 cfs | → |
| Fowl River At Half-Mile Rd Near Laurendine | 20 cfs | → |
| Big Creek At County Rd 63 Near Wilmer | 29 cfs | → |
| Escatawpa River Near Agricola Ms | 420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Optimist Lake.
Boat launches
- Howells Ferry Road 11999, Mobile County
- Coast Guard Wharf Mobile
- Battleship Parkway 1267-1989, Spanish Fort
- Battleship Parkway 1675, Spanish Fort
- Ruben Avenue 498, Saraland
- Spanish Fort
Campgrounds
- Chickasabogue Park
- Camp Ground
- Meaher State Park
- Blakeley State Park
- Mobile County Marina
- Citronelle Lakeview Rv Park
Paddle runs
- The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge To Ends Approximately 2 River Miles From The Southern Terminus Of The Study Area
- Begins Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge To The Jackson County Route 614 Bridge
- The Confluence With Scarsborough Creek To The Confluence With The Escatawpa River
- Begins Approximately 2 River Miles Downstream From The Yellowhouse Branch Confluence With The Escatawpa River Near The Town Of Deer Park, Alabama To Ends Approximately 1 River Mile Upstream From The U.S. Highway 98 Bridge
Track Optimist 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 Optimist Lake
Where does the data for Optimist 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 Optimist Lake.