Barnum Lake Dam dam
Barnum Lake Dam
Located in Polk, Texas, the Barnum Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and serves as a vital resource for recreational purposes since its completion in 1960. This private-owned Earth dam, with a height of 13 feet and a length of 660 feet, creates a picturesque lake that covers a surface area of 10 acres. Despite its modest size, the dam provides a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 50 acre-feet, making it a valuable asset for water enthusiasts.
Situated on TR-CANEY CREEK and managed by the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Barnum Lake Dam is not only a popular spot for outdoor activities but also plays a crucial role in flood control and water management in the region. The dam's unique buttress core design ensures its structural integrity, while the absence of a spillway and limited hazard potential highlight the careful planning and maintenance that go into its operation. With a risk assessment rating of "High (2)", the dam is closely monitored to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the environment.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the Barnum Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and essential role in flood control, this dam stands as a symbol of resilience and cooperation between private ownership, government agencies, and the local community in safeguarding water resources for generations to come.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Barnum Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neches Rv Nr Diboll | 756 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Rockland | 2,420 cfs | → |
| Long King Ck At Livingston | 1,360 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo Ck At Onalaska | 383 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Goodrich | 8,590 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Town Bluff | 3,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barnum Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Farm To Market Road 3124, Zavalla
- Cedar Point Boat Ramp
- Caney Creek Drive 401, Polk County
- Tyler County
- Texas 94 22801, Apple Springs
Campgrounds
- Lake Tejas City Park
- Indian Village Campground
- Alabama - Coushatta Lake Tombigbee
- Bouton Lake
- Bouton Lake Campground
- Boykin Springs Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Us Highway 59 To Us Highway 69
- State Highway 7 To Us Highway 59
- Preserve Boundary Of The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Village Creek
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Trinity River
- Us Highway 69 To Ba Steinhagen Reservoir
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Big Sandy Creek
Track Barnum Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Barnum Lake Dam
Where does the data for Barnum Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Not Available hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Barnum Lake Dam.