Keyes Dam dam
Keyes Dam
Keyes Dam, located in Reads Mill, Alabama, is a privately-owned earth dam that was completed in 1950 for recreational purposes. With a hydraulic height of 14 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 30 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary of the Ohatchee Creek and is under the jurisdiction of the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Although the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, it is classified as having a significant hazard potential. Despite not being regulated or inspected by the state, Keyes Dam serves as a recreational site for the local community, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 620 cubic feet per second and is monitored for any potential risks or emergencies that may arise.
Keyes Dam, with its picturesque surroundings and ample storage capacity, presents itself as an essential water resource for the region. While primarily serving for recreational purposes, the dam also contributes to the local ecosystem and provides a valuable source of water for various activities. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance and impact of structures like Keyes Dam is crucial for sustainable management and conservation of water resources in the area.
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 Keyes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Choccolocco Creek Near Boiling Spring | 379 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek Near Reece City | 195 cfs | → |
| Terrapin Creek At Ellisville Al | 233 cfs | → |
| Big Canoe Creek At Ashville Al | 107 cfs | → |
| Choccolocco Creek At Jackson Shoal Nr Lincoln Al | 445 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 453 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Keyes Dam.
Boat launches
- Lonz Street 206, Gadsden
- Ohatchee
- Broad Street Gadsden
- St. Clair County
- Riverview Drive St. Clair County
- Coleman Boat Ramp Road Cleburne County
Campgrounds
- Noccalula Falls Campground
- Pine Glen
- Pine Glen Recreation Area
- Coleman Lake Recreation Area
- Anniston Army Depot Rv Military
- Coleman Lake Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
Track Keyes 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 Keyes Dam
Where does the data for Keyes 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.