BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
River Levels • Streamflow • Hydrology
October 30, 2024
Until 2024-10-30T14:00:00-06:00 • National Weather Service
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 22 expected. * WHERE...Fort Collins, Boulder and the western suburbs of Denver, Denver, Castle Rock, Greeley, and Byers. * WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions are expected kill unprotected sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Black Warrior River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Black Warrior River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Black Warrior River is a major waterway in the southeastern United States that flows through Alabama. The river is approximately 178 miles long and has a drainage area of over 6,000 square miles. Historically, the river was used for transportation and industrial purposes, and today it is a vital source of water for drinking, irrigation, and recreation. The river is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the William Bacon Oliver Lock and Dam, which was built in the 1930s to support navigation and prevent flooding. The river also provides recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, the river plays an important role in supporting the agricultural industry in Alabama.
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black Warrior River At Northport Al
USGS 02465000 |
114 cfs | 123.18 ft | -4.2 |
History of the River
The Black Warrior River is a waterway in west-central Alabama in the southeastern United States. The river rises in the extreme southern edges of the Appalachian Highlands and flows 178 miles (286 km) to the Tombigbee River, of which the Black Warrior is the primary tributary. The river is named after the Mississippian paramount chief Tuskaloosa, whose name meant 'Black Warrior' in Muskogean. The Black Warrior is impounded along nearly its entire course by a series of locks and dams to form a chain of reservoirs that not only provide a path for an inland waterway, but also yield hydroelectric power, drinking water, and industrial water.The river flows through the Black Warrior Basin, a region historically important for the extraction of coal and methane. The cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport grew at the historical head of navigation at the fall line between the Appalachian Highlands (specifically, the Cumberland Plateau) and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Birmingham, though not directly on the river, became a manufacturing hub and one of the largest cities in the South through use of the Black Warrior River in a small part for the transportation of goods. Birmingham actually grew up around a major junction of north-south and east-west railroads, just as Atlanta, Georgia, did.
Overall, the watershed of the Black Warrior has an area of 6,275 square miles (16,250 km²).
