Lake Brownwood Dam dam
Lake Brownwood Dam
Lake Brownwood Dam, located in Brownwood, Texas, is a vital structure that serves both recreational and water supply purposes. Built in 1933, this earth dam stands at a height of 120 feet and stretches 1580 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of over 1 million acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Pecan Bayou and is under the regulatory oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
With a surface area of 7300 acres and a drainage area of 1544 square miles, Lake Brownwood Dam plays a crucial role in providing water resources for the region. The dam features uncontrolled and valve outlets, with a spillway width of 479 feet to manage excess water flow. Despite its age, the dam has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Brownwood Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of engineering, environmental regulation, and water management. As a cornerstone of the local community, the dam not only provides essential water supplies but also offers a recreational haven for residents and visitors alike. Its construction by D.W. Ross and ongoing maintenance ensure the continued functionality and safety of this important infrastructure in Brown County, 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 Lake Brownwood Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pecan Bayou Nr Cross Cut | 436 cfs | → |
| Jim Ned Ck At Cr 140 Nr Coleman | · | → |
| Hords Ck Nr Coleman | · | → |
| Copperas Ck At Fm 2247 Nr Comanche | 3 cfs | → |
| Pecan Bayou Nr Mullin | 3 cfs | → |
| Sabana Rv Nr De Leon | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Brownwood Dam.
Boat launches
- Hwy 45 Bridge. Colorado River Access
- Press Morris Park
- Farm-To-Market Road 2861 Comanche County
- Quail Run 201, Coleman County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Brownwood 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 Brownwood Dam
Where does the data for Lake Brownwood 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 Brownwood Dam.