Houston County Lake Dam dam
Houston County Lake Dam
Houston County Lake Dam, located in Houston County, Texas, stands as a vital structure for both recreation and water supply purposes. Built in 1966 by Lloyd Engineers, this earth dam spans 1700 feet in length and reaches a height of 51 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 27,000 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Little Elkhart Creek and boasts a surface area of 1282 acres, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the dam's spillway, with a width of 507 feet, ensures controlled water discharge during peak periods. The dam's condition was last assessed in 2014, receiving a fair rating. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam's risk management measures are continuously monitored to uphold safety standards. Despite being uncontrolled, the two outlet gates and two valves aid in regulating water flow, contributing to the dam's efficient operation.
This iconic structure not only stands as a testament to engineering prowess but also serves as a hub for recreational activities in the region. With its rich history and strategic location, Houston County Lake Dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in 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 Houston County Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rv Nr Crockett | 4,520 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 3,220 cfs | → |
| Upper Keechi Ck Nr Oakwood | 39 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 169 cfs | → |
| Bedias Ck Nr Madisonville | 196 cfs | → |
| Angelina Rv Nr Alto | 310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Houston County Lake Dam.
Track Houston County 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 Houston County Lake Dam
Where does the data for Houston County 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 Houston County Lake Dam.