James Mills dam
James Mills
James Mills, also known as Paradise Lake, is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Nuckols, Alabama. Built in 1965 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 19 feet tall and spans 541 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. It serves multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation, making it a valuable resource for the local community.
Despite being privately owned, James Mills is not regulated or inspected by the state, and has a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 18 feet, and a drainage area of 0.19 square miles. With its scenic location along the TR-UCHEE CREEK and proximity to Congressional District 03, Alabama, this reservoir provides a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature.
While lacking an official condition rating, James Mills remains a significant structure in the region, offering opportunities for wildlife habitat enhancement and outdoor recreational activities. As a part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service's portfolio, this dam contributes to the conservation efforts in the area and stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and managing water resources for future generations to enjoy.
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 James Mills -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 2 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 72 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 18 cfs | → |
| Uphapee Creek Near Tuskegee Al | 62 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 152 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Mills.
Boat launches
- Mcculloh Road 9001-9499, Valley
- Chubcreek Road Russell County
- River Bend Park Road Chattahoochee County
- Rood Creek Landing Road Stewart County
Campgrounds
- Spring Villa Campground
- Chewacla State Park
- Uchee Creek Military
- Bluff Creek
- Blanton Creek Park
- Riverbend County Park
Fishing spots
- Lake Oliver
- Goat Rock Lake
- Lake Harding
- Opelika City (Saugahatchee) Reservoir
- Bartlett's Ferry (Lake Harding)
- Lake Heath
More reservoirs
Track James Mills 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 James Mills
Where does the data for James Mills 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 James Mills.