John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam dam
John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam
John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam, also known as Lake Bankhead, is a federal-owned structure located on the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Completed in 1975, this gravity dam serves primarily for navigation purposes but also contributes to hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a structural height of 111 feet and a hydraulic height of 103 feet, the dam has a significant storage capacity of 296,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 666,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite its well-constructed and well-maintained status, John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam has been classified with a high hazard potential due to the risk of an unlikely major earthquake causing a potential dam failure. In the event of such a catastrophe, downstream areas in Tuscaloosa and Northport could face significant flooding and economic impacts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) actively manages this risk through regular inspections, monitoring, and emergency action planning to ensure the safety and reliability of the structure. Flood risk awareness measures are also in place, including sharing flooding maps, conducting emergency exercises, and urging residents to create emergency plans and purchase flood insurance to protect property.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in learning more about John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam, USACE offers opportunities to connect, access flood inundation mapping, and stay informed through various channels. By engaging with local representatives, emergency agencies, and resources like the National Inventory of Dams, individuals can better understand the potential risks associated with the dam and take proactive steps to enhance their preparedness and resilience in the face of possible flooding events.
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 John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Creek Near Tuscaloosa | 1 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Oak Grove Al | 162 cfs | → |
| North River Near Samantha Al | 45 cfs | → |
| Binion Creek Below Gin Creek Near Samantha Al | 13 cfs | → |
| Lost Creek Above Parrish | 128 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek Near Bessemer | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam.
Boat launches
- Lock 15 Road 12701, Tuscaloosa County
- County Road 109 13399, Tuscaloosa County
- Deerlick Road Tuscaloosa County
- Dickey Camp Road Jefferson County
- Binion Creek Landing Park
- Rock Quarry Drive Tuscaloosa
Campgrounds
Track John Hollis Bankhead 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 John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam
Where does the data for John Hollis Bankhead 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 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 John Hollis Bankhead Lock And Dam.