Matthews is an earth dam located in Russell County, Alabama, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 16 ft16 ft tall and 400 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Matthews
The primary purpose of Matthews is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mrs Esther Matthews (private). It impounds the Tr Cowpen Creek near Lato.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. Completed in 1960, 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 | Russell |
| Nearest City | Lato |
| River/Stream | Tr Cowpen Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.33167, -85.14500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 65 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 65 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 90 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Mrs Esther Matthews |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | AL01700 |
| Federal ID | AL01700 |
| More Info | ASDSO on Alabama (no state dam safety program) |