James
James is an earth dam located in St. Clair County, Alabama, built in 1964. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About James
The primary purpose of James is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Leo Ryan (private). It impounds the Tr Cahaba River near Whites Chapel.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet. Completed in 1964, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life.
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Location
| State | Alabama |
| County | St. Clair |
| Nearest City | Whites Chapel |
| River/Stream | Tr Cahaba River |
| Coordinates | 33.61167, -86.54333 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1964 (62 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 130 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 1,280 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | LEO RYAN |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AL01048 |
| Federal ID | AL01048 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |