Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1

WADE CREEK· Etowah, Alabama· Built 1963· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 is classified as high hazard in Alabama. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 87.4% in AL)
Dam Length720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage625 acre-ft
Surface Area72 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge404 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDAL01226

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 4, 2000
State Regulated: No

Ownership

ETOWAH COUNTY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 is owned by ETOWAH COUNTY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 built?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 was completed in 1963, making it 63 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 has a dam height of 33 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 last inspected?

Bristow Creek W/S Dam Site 1 was last inspected on January 4, 2000. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.