Optimist Lake at Milkhouse Creek Mobile Alabama 36695

OPTIMIST LAKE A Reservoir
Part of the Dog River Watershed
U.S. Waters * Delivers water to the Milkhouse Creek

Description for code PUBHh:

P System PALUSTRINE: The Palustrine System includes all nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergents, emergent mosses or lichens, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas where salinity due to ocean-derived salts is below 0.5 ppt. It also includes wetlands lacking such vegetation, but with all of the following four characteristics: (1) area less than 8 ha (20 acres); (2) active wave-formed or bedrock shoreline features lacking; (3) water depth in the deepest part of basin less than 2.5 m (8.2 ft) at low water; and (4) salinity due to ocean-derived salts less than 0.5 ppt.
UB Class UNCONSOLIDATED BOTTOM: Includes all wetlands and deepwater habitats with at least 25% cover of particles smaller than stones (less than 6-7 cm), and a vegetative cover less than 30%.
H Water Regime Permanently Flooded: Water covers the substrate throughout the year in all years.

Other Modifier(s):

h SPECIAL MODIFIER Diked/Impounded: These wetlands have been created or modified by a man-made barrier or dam that obstructs the inflow or outflow of water.

25 ACRES Fed by Milkhouse Creek, stormwater runoff, rainfall, and naturally occurring springs.

The Dam at Optimist Lake is listed on the National Inventory of Dams as a Water Utility Company built in 1936 delivering water to the Milkhouse Creek. Most likely a depression era dam/spillway. It is recognized by USACE as Waters of the United States with environmentally sensitive ecosystem just below the dam.

As of June 1, 2023 landowner has been and will continue to apply for Federal/State/Local Restoration and Assistance Grants to assist in best management practices for these wetlands.

Dam collapsed August 2021 after a misguided decision to close the standpipe against engineers advice allowing Hurricane and storm water to fill the lake rapidly collapsing the spillway emptying the lake all at once into the down stream. The standpipe and half of the dam remains.