Ward Lake Dam dam
Ward Lake Dam
Ward Lake Dam, located in Burleson, Texas, is a private dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1962. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 967 feet. It has a storage capacity of 262 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 150 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres.
The dam, situated on TR-Yegua Creek, is not state-regulated but does require state permitting and inspections. While it does not have a spillway, it does have one outlet gate. Despite its high hazard potential and risk assessment rating of 2 (high), the dam's condition is currently not rated. The surrounding area benefits from the dam's flood risk reduction capabilities, as well as its potential for fire protection, stock or small fish pond, and recreational activities.
Given its significant role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks, Ward Lake Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure in the region. Its construction and design by the USDA NRCS reflect a commitment to sustainable water management practices. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the dam's operations and maintenance are essential for ensuring the safety and resilience of the surrounding community in the face of changing climate patterns and increased water-related challenges.
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 Ward Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Yegua Ck Nr Dime Box | 316 cfs | → |
| Middle Yegua Ck Nr Dime Box | 11 cfs | → |
| Davidson Ck Nr Lyons | 56 cfs | → |
| Yegua Ck Nr Somerville | 0 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv At Sh 21 Nr Bryan | 7,110 cfs | → |
| Bee Ck Trib A At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ward Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Fm 180 Road, Ledbetter
- Ripple Creek Lane, Somerville
- State Park Road 57, Somerville
- Iron Bridge Road 9251, Burton
- Fischer Road, Burton
- Lake Drive, Somerville
Track Ward 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 Ward Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ward 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 Ward Lake Dam.