William Bacon Oliver Replacement Dam (William Baker Oliver Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: William Bacon Oliver Replacement
Other Name: OLIVER
NID ID: AL01981
Longitude: -87.5849
Latitude: 33.2099
County: TUSCALOOSA
River: BLACK WARRIER
State: AL
Nearest City: TUSCALOOSA
Distance: 2.00 miles
Owner Name: CESAM
Owner Type: Federal
Private Dam? No
Purposes: Navigation
Year Completed: 1992
Dam Length: 1200 feet
Dam Height: 0 feet
Structural Height: 67 feet
Hydraulic Height: 49 feet
Maximum Discharge: 52000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 13800 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 12340 acre-feet
Surface Area: 790 acres
Drainage Area: 4821 square miles
Hazard Potential:
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2009-06-09
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 800 feet
Volume of Dam: 271300 cubic yards
Number of Locks: 1
Length of Locks: 600 feet
Lock Width: 110 feet
Federal Funding Agency: OLIVER
Federal Design Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Construction Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Regulatory Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Inspection Agency: CE
Federal Operating Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Owner (Agency): Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Other Federal Agencies: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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:




Quick Links
William Baker Oliver Lake News
William Baker Oliver Lake Photos
William Baker Oliver Lake Videos




About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Search Site
Advertise With Us
   
Oliver.LakesOnline.com
THE WILLIAM BAKER OLIVER LAKE WEBSITE

Copyright 2024, Lakes Online
Privacy    |    Legal