Thomas Norris Dam dam
Thomas Norris Dam
Thomas Norris Dam, located in Minter, Alabama, along TR-Cedar Creek, is a private-owned Earth dam constructed in 1965 primarily for recreational purposes. With a hydraulic height of 22 feet and a structural height of 24 feet, the dam stands at 455 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet. Despite being categorized as having low hazard potential and not rated for condition assessment, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the region while providing opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and boating.
Operated by the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Thomas Norris Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the area. It is situated within Congressional District 07 of Alabama, represented by Terri A. Sewell. The dam's scenic location in Wilcox County offers a serene environment for visitors to enjoy nature and engage in recreational pursuits, contributing to the overall well-being and enjoyment of water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Despite not being regulated by the state, the dam's importance in providing recreational opportunities and supporting water management efforts cannot be overlooked. With a history dating back to the 1960s, Thomas Norris Dam continues to be a significant landmark in Alabama, offering a tranquil escape for visitors and serving as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the beauty of the region.
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 Thomas Norris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Barren Creek Near Snow Hill | 29 cfs | → |
| Cahaba River Near Marion Junction Al | 749 cfs | → |
| Mulberry Creek At Jones Al | 110 cfs | → |
| Sepulga River Near Mckenzie Al | 94 cfs | → |
| Alabama River Near Montgomery | 7,540 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Near Evergreen Al | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas Norris Dam.
Boat launches
- Roland Cooper Boat Ramp
- Wilcox County
- Chilatchee Park Road Wilcox County
- Gees Bend Park Wilcox County
- Prairie Creek Road Lowndes County
- Brinson Court Lowndes County
Campgrounds
- Elm Bluff - William Dannelly Reservoir
- Roland Cooper State Park
- Chilatchee Creek
- Sherling Lake City Park
- Six Mile Creek
- Sherling Lake Campground And Park
Track Thomas Norris 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 Thomas Norris Dam
Where does the data for Thomas Norris 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 Thomas Norris Dam.