Lewis Smith Dam, Alabama, USA

Quick Facts About Lewis Smith Dam

Location: Walker, Alabama

Coordinates: 33.942138, -87.106498

River: Sipsey Fork, Warrior River

Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric

Type: Rockfill

Commissioned: 1961

Dam Height: 300 ft (91 m)

Dam Length: 2,200 ft (671 m)

Dam Capacity: 1,670,600 acre-ft (2,060,652 Ml)

Hazard Potential: High

Condition Assessment: Satisfactory

Lewis Smith Dam Map

Here is a map of Lewis Smith Dam with satellite imagery. You can zoom in and out, toggle full screen mode and even enter street view directly from the map.

Lewis Smith Dam Information

Lewis Smith Dam is a rockfill dam located about 12 miles from Sipsey, Walker, Alabama.

The dam, which is on the Sipsey Fork, Warrior River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Navigation, Recreation and Flood Risk Reduction benefits.

The dam was designed by ALABAMA POWER COMPANY and commissioned in 1961 and is currently owned by Alabama Power Company.

Lewis Smith Dam Structure

The Lewis Smith Dam is approximately 2,200 feet (671 m) long, 300 feet (91 m) high and has a structural volume of 5,195,000 cubic yards (3,971,863 cubic metres).

Lewis Smith Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 1,390,000 acre-ft (1,714,537 Ml) and maximum capacity of 1,670,600 acre-ft (2,060,652 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 21,200 acres (8,579 ha) and the total catchment area is 944 square miles (2,445 square kilometres).

Lewis Smith Dam Spillway

The dam has a 350 feet (107 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 317800 cubic feet per second (8999 cubic metres per second).

Lewis Smith Dam Compared to Four Famous American Dams

	Lewis Smith Dam Walker, Alabama	Hoover Dam Clark County, Nevada	Grand Coulee Dam Okanogan County, Washington	Theodore Roosevelt Dam Maricopa County, Arizona	Glen Canyon Dam Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)	300	730	550	357	216
Length (Ft)	2,200	1,244	5,673	6,920	1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)	1,670,600	30,237,000	9,562,000	3,540,000	29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)	944	167,800	74,100	3,611	108,355

Lewis Smith Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Lewis Smith Dam

Parameter	Value
Current Time	20:33
Sunrise	05:43
Sunset	20:02
Temperature (°F)	79
Feels Like (°F)	79
Cloud Coverage (%)	0
Pressure (inHg)	1018
Humidity (%)	90
Wind Speed (mph)	0
Rain (mm)	0

7-Day Forecast for Lewis Smith Dam

Day	Min Temp (°F)	Max Temp (°F)	Feels Like (°F)	Pressure (inHg)	Humidity (%)	Wind Speed (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)	Wind Dir	Precip Prob (%)	Precip Volume (mm)
Today	72	92	100	1018	57	5	9	WSW	40	0
Tue	72	92	93	1019	47	6	13	NW	65	0
Wed	69	90	95	1018	60	8	21	WNW	100	6
Thu	70	88	87	1016	66	11	14	W	100	11
Fri	70	87	94	1017	71	9	16	SW	100	4
Sat	69	86	89	1018	72	6	10	WSW	100	18
Sun	71	94	97	1018	45	7	14	WNW	100	3
Mon	71	92	99	1017	49	6	13	NNE	100	1

Lewis Smith Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Lewis Smith Dam?

Lewis Smith Dam is in Alabama.

In which county is the Lewis Smith Dam?

Lewis Smith Dam is in Walker County.

How high is the Lewis Smith Dam?

Lewis Smith Dam is 300 feet high.

How long is the Lewis Smith Dam?

Lewis Smith Dam is 2,200 feet long.

More Dams in Walker County:

Huntsville State Park Dam
Lewis Smith Dam
Town Creek WS Str # 1 Dam

More Dams in Alabama:

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams