Wilbanks Lake Dam dam
Wilbanks Lake Dam
Located in Alcorn, Mississippi, Wilbanks Lake Dam is a private structure regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it poses a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment.
Despite not being rated for condition assessment, Wilbanks Lake Dam offers opportunities for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the surrounding natural environment. The dam's moderate risk level suggests a need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure its continued safety and functionality. As it is not owned or funded by federal agencies, the responsibility for its maintenance falls on its private owner.
For those interested in water infrastructure and environmental conservation, Wilbanks Lake Dam presents a case study in the intersection of private ownership and state regulation in managing water resources. Its location in the Memphis District highlights the importance of local oversight and accountability in maintaining dams for recreational purposes while also safeguarding against potential risks. As climate change continues to impact water systems, understanding the management and maintenance of structures like Wilbanks Lake Dam is crucial for ensuring the resilience of our water resources in the face of evolving environmental 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 Wilbanks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchie River Near Walnut | 144 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Bishop | 4,330 cfs | → |
| Horse Creek Near Savannah | 109 cfs | → |
| Twentymile Creek Nr Guntown | 528 cfs | → |
| Red Bud Creek Nr Moores Mill | 15 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Near Red Bay | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilbanks Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wharf Road, Savannah
- Highway 57 23970-23972, Pocahontas
- Branun Cemetery Road, Savannah
- Tishomingo County
- Riverton Rose Trail 9272-9380, Cherokee
- Margerum Road, Cherokee
Campgrounds
- Big Hill Pond State Park Campground
- Big Hill Pond Sp - Grassy Point Shelter
- Pickwick Dam - Tva
- Pickwick Landing Sp - Trail Camps
- Piney Grove Campground
- Tippah County Lake - Mdwfp
Fishing spots
Track Wilbanks Lake 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 Wilbanks Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wilbanks Lake 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 Wilbanks Lake Dam.