Tatum Dam dam
Tatum Dam
Located in Collin County, Texas, Tatum Dam stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering, having been completed in 1920. Sitting on Groves Creek, this private earth dam primarily serves recreational purposes, offering a serene setting for visitors to enjoy water-based activities in a picturesque environment. With a height of 25 feet and a length of 650 feet, Tatum Dam provides a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet, making it a valuable resource for the local community.
Despite its historical significance, Tatum Dam is currently rated as being in poor condition, with a moderate risk level assigned to it. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, with one valve in place, and with regular inspections required every five years to assess its structural integrity. The dam's hazard potential is not available, but efforts are likely needed to address its current condition and ensure its continued safe operation for both recreational and water management purposes. Given its critical role in the local ecosystem, stakeholders may need to consider potential risk management measures in the near future to safeguard this valuable water resource.
With the TCEQ overseeing its regulatory compliance and maintenance, Tatum Dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of historical infrastructure and environmental conservation. As discussions around dam safety and resilience continue to gain prominence, Tatum Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and risk management in preserving our water resources for future generations.
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 Tatum Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Ck At Sh 78 Nr Farmersville | 26 cfs | → |
| Sister Grove Ck Nr Blue Ridge | 27 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Nr Mckinney | 174 cfs | → |
| Cowleech Fk Sabine Rv At Greenville | 67 cfs | → |
| Wilson Ck Dws Of Hwy 75 At Mckinney | 114 cfs | → |
| Squabble Ck At Shores Blvd Nr Rockwall | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tatum Dam.
Boat launches
- West Audie Murphy Parkway Farmersville
- County Road 551 Collin County
- Twin Groves Park Road Collin County
- Collin County
- County Road 546 5431, Wylie
- Little Ridge Park Wylie
Campgrounds
- Equestrian Camp Sites
- Tent Sites
- Erwin Park - Mckinney
- Wind Point Park
- Constellation Park Campsite #3
- Constellation Park Campsite #2
Fishing spots
Track Tatum 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 Tatum Dam
Where does the data for Tatum 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 Tatum Dam.