Smith Lake Dam dam
Smith Lake Dam
Smith Lake Dam, located in Brazos, Texas, serves as a critical irrigation structure along the TR-STILL CREEK. Completed in 1962, this private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and spans 640 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 116 acre-feet, the dam primarily caters to irrigation needs in the region.
Despite its age, Smith Lake Dam remains in good condition and is deemed to have a high risk potential. While not regulated by the state, the dam undergoes regular inspections and is equipped with one outlet gate. The lack of a spillway and the absence of inundation maps pose some challenges, but the structure continues to support the agricultural community in the area efficiently.
Managed by the Galveston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Smith Lake Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, it is crucial to monitor and support infrastructure like Smith Lake Dam to ensure sustainable water usage and mitigating risks associated with climate change.
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 Smith Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv At Sh 21 Nr Bryan | 5,670 cfs | → |
| Bee Ck Main At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Bee Ck Trib A At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Davidson Ck Nr Lyons | 12 cfs | → |
| Little Brazos Rv At Fm 485 Nr Hearne | 560 cfs | → |
| Navasota Rv At Old Spanish Rd Nr Bryan | 770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- P4-746, Bryan
- Farm To Market 50 13508-13698, Brenham
- Gibbon Creek Boat Ramp
- Lake Drive, Somerville
- Burleson County
- North Overlook Park Drive 12870-12872, Brenham
Campgrounds
- Gibbons Creek Reservoir
- Welch Park - Somerville
- Big Creek Park And Marina Dispersed
- Overlook - Lake Somerville
- 82
- 81
Fishing spots
Track Smith 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 Smith Lake Dam
Where does the data for Smith 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 Smith Lake Dam.