Sweetwater Lake - Site 7

SHOAL CREEK· Cleburne, Alabama· Built 1971· Earth· 74 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 is classified as high hazard in Alabama. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 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 74 ft (taller than 96.9% in AL)
Dam Length777 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage326 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge6,346 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDAL00615

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: April 1, 2014
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sweetwater Lake - Site 7?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 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 Sweetwater Lake - Site 7?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 built?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Sweetwater Lake - Site 7?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sweetwater Lake - Site 7?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 has a dam height of 74 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 Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 last inspected?

Sweetwater Lake - Site 7 was last inspected on April 1, 2014. 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.