Sharp Branch Dam dam
Sharp Branch Dam
Sharp Branch Dam, located in DeKalb, Alabama, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 400 feet. It has a storage capacity of 177 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 115 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Sharp Branch river, within the DESOTO PARK COMMUNITY.
Managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Sharp Branch Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Although it has not been inspected recently, the dam remains in operation and meets the necessary guidelines for emergency action planning. With a maximum discharge rate of 291 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as an important recreational resource for the local community.
Overall, Sharp Branch Dam provides a valuable water resource for the area, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and water recreation. While its condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively and safely. As a private facility, it plays a key role in providing recreational opportunities in the DeKalb County region 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 Sharp Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Wills Creek At State Hwy 35 Nr Fort Payne | 35 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Blue Pond Al | 91 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Above Gaylesville Al | 215 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River At Summerville | 125 cfs | → |
| Heath Creek Near Armuchee | 3 cfs | → |
| Town Creek Near Geraldine Al | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sharp Branch Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 613 Dekalb County
- Dekalb County
- Floyd County
- Highway 68, Cedar Bluff
- Comer Bridge Public Boat Ramp
- Cherokee County 520, Centre
Campgrounds
- De Soto State Park
- Camp Skyline Ranch
- Dekalb County Public Lake
- James H. Floyd State Park Campground
- James H Sloppy Floyd State Park
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
Track Sharp Branch 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 Sharp Branch Dam
Where does the data for Sharp Branch 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 Sharp Branch Dam.