Buchanan Dam dam
Buchanan Dam
Buchanan Dam, located in Marble Falls, Texas, is a vital structure along the Colorado River that serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and water supply. Completed in 1937, this multi-arch dam stands at a height of 146 feet and has a length of 10,987 feet, providing a storage capacity of 1,180,000 acre-feet. The dam's design by Fargo Engineering Co and Freese and Nichols Inc showcases its innovative engineering and construction to harness the river's resources effectively.
With a normal storage capacity of 992,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 247,800 cubic feet per second, Buchanan Dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the region. The dam's satisfactory condition assessment and regular inspections ensure its continued safe operation. Additionally, the presence of multiple outlet gates and spillways enhances the dam's ability to regulate water flow and mitigate potential risks, further highlighting its importance in ensuring water resource sustainability and climate resilience in the area.
As a state-regulated structure under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Buchanan Dam exemplifies the collaboration between local government and regulatory agencies to oversee its operation, maintenance, and compliance with safety standards. The dam's historical significance, combined with its ongoing role in supporting various water-related activities, makes it a key landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure development, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in the face of changing weather patterns and water demands.
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 Buchanan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Ck Nr Kingsland | 501 cfs | → |
| Llano Rv At Llano | 3,700 cfs | → |
| S Fk Rocky Ck Nr Briggs | 277 cfs | → |
| Pedernales Rv Nr Johnson City | 39 cfs | → |
| Lampasas Rv Nr Kempner | 228 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv Nr San Saba | 4,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buchanan Dam.
Boat launches
- Blackrock Park. Buchanan Lake
- Burnet County Park North. Lake Buchanan.
- Kingsland Lions Park. Lake Lyndon B. Johnson
- Eldorado Drive 1898, Llano County
- Cedar Point. Lake Buchanan.
- Park Terrace 599, Sunrise Beach Village
Campgrounds
- Black Rock Park
- Inks Lake State Park
- 270
- Reveille Peak Ranch
- Cedar Point Rec Area
- Canyon Of The Eagles Nature Park
Fishing spots
Track Buchanan 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 Buchanan Dam
Where does the data for Buchanan 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 Buchanan Dam.