James

TR CAHABA RIVER· St. Clair, Alabama· Built 1964· Earth·
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

James is classified as significant hazard in Alabama. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage180 acre-ft
Normal Storage130 acre-ft
Max Discharge1,280 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDAL01048

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

LEO RYAN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of James?

James is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates James?

James is owned by LEO RYAN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was James built?

James was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 James?

James serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

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.