Lower West Lake Dam dam
Lower West Lake Dam
Lower West Lake Dam, located in Wood, Texas, stands as a testament to both engineering prowess and environmental stewardship. Completed in 1934, this earth dam, designed by Wisenbaker Fix & Associates, spans 1240 feet in length and stands at a height of 19 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes along the picturesque Little Sandy Creek. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 240 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for the surrounding community.
Despite its age, Lower West Lake Dam remains in fair condition as of the most recent assessment in April 2021, showcasing a commitment to regular inspection and maintenance. The dam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 103 feet, can handle a maximum discharge of 3201 cubic feet per second, ensuring the safety and stability of the structure during periods of heavy rainfall. With moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam continues to be monitored closely for any potential hazards or issues that may arise in the future.
Owned privately and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Lower West Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational and environmental asset for the region. With its historical significance, engineering marvel, and ongoing commitment to safety, this dam stands as a symbol of harmony between human development and natural preservation in the heart of Texas.
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 Lower West Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 259 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Nr Big Sandy | 84 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Mineola | 103 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Ck Nr Quitman | 16 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Gladewater | 380 cfs | → |
| Rabbit Ck At Kilgore | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower West Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 3440 2448, Wood County
- Fm 14 Smith County
- Private Road 5183 Wood County
- South Tyler Street 901, Gladewater
- County Road 1973 Wood County
- Wood County
Campgrounds
- Fish Hawke Point
- Lake Hawkins County Rv Park
- Tyler State Park
- Camp Deer Run
- Governor Jim Hogg Rv Park - Quitman
- Lake Holbrook Park - South
Fishing spots
Track Lower West 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 Lower West Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lower West 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 Lower West Lake Dam.