Thomas Vann dam
Thomas Vann
Thomas Vann is a privately owned irrigation dam located in Limestone, Alabama, along the TR-Limestone Creek. Built in 1958 with a dam height of 20 feet and a length of 443 feet, it serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and recreation in addition to irrigation. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam has a storage capacity of 106 acre-feet and a low hazard potential.
Despite being unregulated by the state, Thomas Vann poses a moderate risk level according to assessments. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 48 feet and can discharge up to 651 cubic feet per second. While no inspection frequency or condition assessment has been reported, the dam's emergency action plan status remains unknown. Congressman Mo Brooks represents the area in Congressional District 05, Alabama, where Thomas Vann plays a crucial role in water resource management and agricultural activities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Thomas Vann in sustaining irrigation needs and supporting various recreational activities in the region. With its historical construction and ongoing maintenance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam remains an essential infrastructure for the local community. As efforts to improve risk management and emergency preparedness continue, Thomas Vann stands as a testament to the vital role of water infrastructure in ensuring sustainable water use and environmental conservation in 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 Thomas Vann -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Limestone Creek Near Athens Al | 525 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Madison Al | 300 cfs | → |
| Broglan Branch At Oakwood Avenue At Huntsville | 38 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pinhook Cr At Blue Sprs Rd At Huntsville | 75 cfs | → |
| East Fork Pinhook Cr At Winchester Rd At Huntsvil | 61 cfs | → |
| Pinhook C At Mastin Lake Rd At Huntsville | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thomas Vann.
Boat launches
- Highway 127 28901-29089, Elkmont
- Easter Ferry Road 25793, Elkmont
- Veto Road 2156, Prospect
- Hatchery Road 13560, Elkmont
- West Dike Road Limestone County
- Main Launch Way Limestone County
Campgrounds
- Redstone Arsenal Rv Military
- Monte Sano State Park
- Easter Posey Mwr Military - Redstone Arsenal
- Sharon Johnston Park
- Point Mallard City Campground
- Ditto Landing City Campground
Fishing spots
- Tva Public Land
- Crowder Slough
- Buckeye Pond
- Madison County Lake
- Fayetteville Old Stone Bridge
- Winton Branch
Paddle runs
Track Thomas Vann 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 Vann
Where does the data for Thomas Vann 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 Vann.