John Hollis Bankhead Lock Dam & Ph (Bankhead Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: John Hollis Bankhead Lock Dam & Ph
Other Name: LAKE BANKHEAD
NID ID: AL01427
Longitude: -87.355
Latitude: 33.45667
County: TUSCALOOSA
River: BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
State: AL
Nearest City: HOWSE CAMP
Distance: 6.00 miles
Owner Name: CESAM
Owner Type: Federal
Private Dam? No
Purposes: Navigation
Year Completed: 1975
Dam Length: 1310 feet
Dam Height: 0 feet
Structural Height: 111 feet
Hydraulic Height: 103 feet
Maximum Discharge: 666000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 296000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 269215 acre-feet
Surface Area: 9245 acres
Drainage Area: 3981 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2010-07-14
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 1023 feet
Volume of Dam: 316000 cubic yards
Number of Locks: 2
Length of Locks: 285 feet
Lock Width: 52 feet
Federal Funding Agency: LAKE BANKHEAD
Federal Design Agency:
Federal Construction Agency:
Federal Regulatory Agency:
Federal Inspection Agency:
Federal Operating Agency:
Federal Owner (Agency):
Other Federal Agencies:
Source Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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