R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike dam
R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike
The R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike, located in Randolph, Alabama, along the Tallapoosa River, is a key structure for hydroelectric power generation. Completed in 1983, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a length of 800 feet, providing a storage capacity of 426,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 10,661 acres. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and of course, hydroelectric power production.
Despite its significant contribution to the region's water resource management and energy production, the R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike poses a high hazard potential due to its structural characteristics and location. Regularly inspected by federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam's risk assessment is categorized as "Very High (1)", highlighting the importance of robust risk management measures. While the dam's condition assessment is currently unavailable, emergency action plans are in place to ensure swift response in case of any unforeseen events, with the last plan revision dated back to December 2020.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike stands as a significant infrastructure supporting both environmental conservation efforts and renewable energy production. With its strategic location along the Tallapoosa River and its critical role in hydroelectric power generation, this earth dam serves as a testament to sustainable water resource management practices. While facing high hazard potential, the dam's meticulous inspection and risk management processes underscore the commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of this essential piece of infrastructure in Alabama's water landscape.
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 R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tallapoosa River At Wadley Al | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River Near Newell Al | 394 cfs | → |
| Hillabee Creek Near Hackneyville Al | 228 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Nr New Site | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Hillabahatchee Creek At Thaxton Rd | 12 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River Below Bowdon | 195 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike .
Boat launches
- County Road 888 Randolph County
- R L Harris Dam Road Randolph County
- Primrose Lane Randolph County
- County Road 895 Randolph County
- County Road 880 Randolph County
- County Road 99 Randolph County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike 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 R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike
Where does the data for R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike 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 High 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 R. L. Harris West Saddle Dike .