Powers Dam dam
Powers Dam
Powers Dam, located on the Clear Fork Brazos River in Stephens, Texas, is a private gravity dam completed in 1921 with a height of 9 feet and a length of 100 feet. The dam serves a primary purpose of "Other" and has a storage capacity of 218 acre-feet. Despite its age, Powers Dam has not been rated for its condition and has a high risk assessment level of 2, although the hazard potential is not available.
The dam does not have a spillway and is not regulated by the state, although it does undergo state permitting and inspection. Powers Dam is not owned or funded by any federal agency and has had no modifications since its completion. The dam is in a rural area and has not been associated with any other structures. Despite its lack of federal oversight, Powers Dam remains a significant feature in the local water resource system, providing essential storage capacity for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Powers Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned and operated dam in Texas with a long history of service. The dam's location on the Clear Fork Brazos River adds to its importance in the region's water management system. While the lack of recent inspections and condition assessments may raise concerns, the dam's continued operation highlights the critical role it plays in supporting local water needs. As discussions around dam safety and maintenance continue, Powers Dam stands as a reminder of the diverse challenges and opportunities in managing water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Powers Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv At Ft Griffin | 3 cfs | → |
| Hubbard Ck Bl Albany | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Abv Breckenridge | 0 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr South Bend | 7 cfs | → |
| Deep Ck At Moran | · | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Graford | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powers Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 278 Stephens County
- Lake Eddleman Public Boat Ramp
- Palo Pinto County
- Park Road 36 Palo Pinto County
Campgrounds
- Fort Griffin State Historic Site
- City Rv Park - Throckmorton
- Fort Belknap County Park
- Lake Daniel City Park
- Webb City Park
- Possum Kingdom State Park
Fishing spots
Track Powers 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 Powers Dam
Where does the data for Powers 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 Powers Dam.