Safari Lake Dam dam
Safari Lake Dam
Safari Lake Dam in Henderson, Texas, stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management, with a primary focus on irrigation. Built in 1950 by designers Velvin & Weeks, this earth-type dam boasts a height of 27 feet and a storage capacity of 1172 acre-feet, serving the local community with vital water resources for agricultural purposes. The dam also offers recreational opportunities on its 47-acre surface area, making it a multifaceted resource for both humans and wildlife.
Maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Safari Lake Dam underwent structural modifications in 2016 to ensure its continued safety and reliability. With a fair condition assessment as of May 2017, the dam's emergency action plan is up to date, although its hazard potential is not available. The dam's spillway, with a width of 70 feet, controls the maximum discharge of 1499 cubic feet per second, mitigating flood risks in the area and contributing to a moderate risk assessment rating.
As a critical infrastructure asset in the region, Safari Lake Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. Its strategic location on Kile Branch, a tributary in the Fort Worth District, underscores its importance in sustaining the local ecosystem and supporting agricultural activities. With ongoing inspections and enforcement measures in place, Safari Lake Dam stands as a model for responsible dam management, balancing the needs of irrigation with environmental protection and public safety.
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 Safari Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rv At Hwy 287 Nr Cayuga | 3,850 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Trinidad | 6,040 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 155 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 3,250 cfs | → |
| Cedar Ck Nr Kemp | 1 cfs | → |
| Mud Ck Nr Jacksonville | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Safari Lake Dam.
Track Safari 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 Safari Lake Dam
Where does the data for Safari 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 Safari Lake Dam.