Buchannan Lake Dam dam
Buchannan Lake Dam
Buchannan Lake Dam, located in Denton, Texas, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1960 for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 16 feet and a length of 770 feet, creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet. Situated on the Cathrine Branch river, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming.
Although the dam has not been rated for its condition, it has a high risk assessment level of 2, indicating potential hazards. Despite the lack of a spillway, the dam has one outlet gate for water release. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulates the dam's operations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Overall, Buchannan Lake Dam is a significant water resource in the area, providing opportunities for recreation and serving as a vital component of the local ecosystem. Its presence contributes to the conservation of water and offers a scenic location for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam and ensure its long-term sustainability.
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 Buchannan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Denton Ck Nr Justin | 18 cfs | → |
| Hickory Ck At Denton | 195 cfs | → |
| Denton Ck Nr Grapevine | 260 cfs | → |
| Big Fossil Ck At Haltom City | 129 cfs | → |
| W Fk Trinity Rv Nr Boyd | 30 cfs | → |
| Elm Fk Trinity Rv Nr Lewisville | 697 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buchannan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Marshall Creek Park Denton County
- Meadowmere Lane Boat Ramp
- Meadowmere Park Boat Ramp
- Island View Drive Grapevine
- Mcpherson Slough Boat Ramp
- Dove Loop Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Little Elm Park
- Sandy Lake Rv Resort
- Camp Thurman
- Dallas / Arlington Koa
- Isle Du Bois - Roberts Lake State Park
- Black Creek Lake
Track Buchannan 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 Buchannan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Buchannan 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 Buchannan Lake Dam.