Phillips Dam dam
Phillips Dam
Phillips Dam, located in Denton, Texas, is a privately owned Earth dam primarily used for irrigation purposes. Completed in 1932, this structure on the TR-STEWARTS CREEK river stands at a height of 15 feet and has a length of 310 feet, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is still regulated and inspected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Although Phillips Dam does not have a spillway, it is equipped with one outlet gate. The dam's hazard potential is currently labeled as "Not Available," but the risk assessment rates it as high. The condition of the dam is not rated, and the last inspection was conducted in 1969. While the structure may not be as well-known as some larger dams, its historical significance and continued functionality for irrigation make it an important component of the water resource management in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Phillips Dam represents a piece of Texas' irrigation infrastructure history. With its simple yet effective design and ongoing regulatory oversight, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and managing water resources. While it may not have the grandeur of some larger dams, Phillips Dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities and water supply in the region, making it a valuable asset in the state's water management efforts.
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 Phillips Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Doe Br At Us Hwy 380 Nr Prosper | 25 cfs | → |
| Elm Fk Trinity Rv Nr Lewisville | 350 cfs | → |
| Indian Ck At Fm 2281 | 10 cfs | → |
| Little Elm Ck Nr Aubrey | 23 cfs | → |
| Elm Fk Trinity Rv Nr Carrollton | 279 cfs | → |
| Denton Ck Nr Grapevine | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phillips Dam.
Boat launches
- Blue Sky Drive The Colony
- Westlake Park Hickory Creek
- Trotline Road Lewisville
- 1b Road Lewisville
- Kelton Avenue Hickory Creek
- Arrowhead Leg 1 Hickory Creek
Campgrounds
- Little Elm Park
- Sandy Lake Rv Resort
- Constellation Park Campsite #4
- Constellation Park Campsite #1
- Constellation Park Campsite #3
- Constellation Park Campsite #2
Fishing spots
Track Phillips 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 Phillips Dam
Where does the data for Phillips 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 Phillips Dam.