Murchison Lake Dam dam
Murchison Lake Dam
Murchison Lake Dam in Anderson, Texas, stands as a testament to engineering and nature's beauty. Completed in 1965, this private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and stretches 550 feet long. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the tranquil waters of Murchison Lake. Despite its age, the dam has a high risk potential (2) due to factors that need further assessment and management.
Located on TR-Coon Creek and nestled in the Fort Worth District, Murchison Lake Dam boasts a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 42 acre-feet. The dam's surroundings span an area of 11 acres, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and wildlife observation. While the dam lacks a spillway, it is equipped with one outlet gate for managing water levels. It is noteworthy that the dam has not been inspected since October 1977 and is considered to have a high-risk potential, emphasizing the importance of regular evaluations and maintenance protocols.
For water enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat in East Texas, Murchison Lake Dam offers a serene escape in the heart of nature. Boasting a rich history and a unique design, this Earth dam provides a recreational oasis for visitors to enjoy the beauty of Murchison Lake. However, the dam's high risk potential underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure its safety and longevity in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Murchison Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rv At Hwy 287 Nr Cayuga | 2,860 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Trinidad | 3,810 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 2,300 cfs | → |
| Tehuacana Ck Nr Streetman | 0 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 155 cfs | → |
| Upper Keechi Ck Nr Oakwood | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murchison Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jupiter Road, Star Harbor
- County Road 2830 15500, Henderson County
- Navarro County
- Park Road Henderson County
- Farm To Market 315, Chandler
- Farm-To-Market Road 1892, Frankston
Campgrounds
Track Murchison 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 Murchison Lake Dam
Where does the data for Murchison 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 Murchison Lake Dam.