Lake Gonzales Dam dam
Lake Gonzales Dam
Lake Gonzales Dam, located in Gonzales, Texas, stands as a remarkable earth dam constructed in 1931 by the renowned designers Forrest and Cotton. With a height of 42 feet and a length of 2170 feet, this hydroelectric structure plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the Guadalupe River for electricity generation and recreational purposes. Boasting a storage capacity of 28,070 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 696 acres, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the region.
Managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Lake Gonzales Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's condition is assessed as fair, with a history of modifications to enhance its functionality. The presence of outlet gates, including one controlled and one uncontrolled, contributes to the efficient management of water levels and discharge, highlighting the dam's importance in water resource management. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a significant role in meeting the region's energy needs and providing opportunities for recreation along its shores.
As an integral part of the Fort Worth District, the Lake Gonzales Dam remains a significant landmark in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike. With its rich history, engineering marvel, and ongoing commitment to safety and efficiency, the dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing nature's resources for the benefit of communities and the environment.
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 Lake Gonzales Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe Rv At Cr 143 Nr Gonzales | 264 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv At Gonzales | 431 cfs | → |
| San Marcos Rv At Luling | 107 cfs | → |
| Plum Ck Nr Luling | 44 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv At Fm 1117 Nr Seguin | 86 cfs | → |
| Peach Ck Bl Dilworth | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Gonzales Dam.
Boat launches
- South Street Joseph Street, Gonzales
- U.S. 90, Luling
- Stairtown Road 515, Luling
- Plant Road, Kingsbury
- Saint Joseph Street 839, Maxwell
- State Park Road 17065-17099, Kingsbury
Campgrounds
- Group Camping
- Palmetto State Park
- Lake Wood Rec Area
- Independence City Park
- Lockhart State Park
- Green Dickson Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Gonzales 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 Lake Gonzales Dam
Where does the data for Lake Gonzales 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 Lake Gonzales Dam.