White Rock Dam dam
White Rock Dam
White Rock Dam, located in Dallas, Texas, has been a vital structure since its completion in 1911. Standing at a height of 47 feet, this earth dam on White Rock Creek serves the primary purposes of recreation and water supply. With a storage capacity of 39,400 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 114,600 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Designed by Forrest and Cotton, Halff & Associates, the dam underwent modifications in 1978 and 2008 to enhance its structural integrity. It is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam also features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 450 feet to manage excess water during heavy rainfall events.
Despite being rated as having a moderate risk level, White Rock Dam remains a key asset in the region's water management infrastructure. Its presence not only supports recreational activities but also contributes to the sustainable use of water resources in Dallas, highlighting the importance of such structures in mitigating the impacts of climate change on water availability.
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 White Rock Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Rock Ck At White Rock Lk | 84 cfs | → |
| Turtle Ck At Dallas | 6 cfs | → |
| White Rock Ck At Greenville Ave | 33 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Dallas | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Bl Dallas | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Prairie Ck At Us Hwy 175 | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Rock Dam.
Boat launches
- Santa Fe Avenue Dallas
- Sylvan Avenue Dallas
- Great Trinity Forest Dallas
- Chardonnay Drive Rowlett
- Old State Highway 66 Rowlett
- Peninsula Court Heath
Track White Rock 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 White Rock Dam
Where does the data for White Rock 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 White Rock Dam.