Howell Heflin Lock And Dam dam
Howell Heflin Lock And Dam
Howell Heflin Lock and Dam, also known as Gainesville Lake, is a federal structure located in Greene, Alabama, along the Tombigbee River. Completed in 1978 by CESAM, this gravity dam stands at 56 feet tall and spans 816 feet in length. Its primary purpose is navigation, with a single lock measuring 600 feet long and 110 feet wide. The dam has a hydraulic height of 46 feet and a max discharge capacity of 225,000 cubic feet per second, with a controlled spillway width of 523 feet.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Howell Heflin Lock and Dam is associated with a significant hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. The dam's risk management measures focus on regular monitoring, maintenance, and engagement with emergency managers to address flood risks. An emergency action plan is in place, but updates and improvements are ongoing to ensure preparedness for any potential dam-related emergencies. With a commitment to public safety and risk mitigation, the US Army Corps of Engineers strives to safeguard the surrounding communities and water resources in the event of unforeseen challenges.
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 Howell Heflin Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tombigbee R At Gainesville L&D Nr Gainesville Al | 2,490 cfs | → |
| Bodka Creek Near Geiger | 15 cfs | → |
| Noxubee River Nr Geiger | 141 cfs | → |
| Black Warrior River At Selden L & D Near Eutaw | 4,890 cfs | → |
| Sucarnoochee River At Livingston Al | 318 cfs | → |
| Tombigbee River At Bevill L&D Nr Pickensville | 3,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howell Heflin Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Howell Heflin Lock And 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 Howell Heflin Lock And Dam
Where does the data for Howell Heflin Lock And 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Howell Heflin Lock And Dam.