George W Maxwell Levee dam
George W Maxwell Levee
The George W Maxwell Levee, located in Anahuac, Texas, along the Cow Island Bayou, was completed in 1955 by the USDA NRCS and serves the primary purpose of irrigation. This privately-owned earth dam stands at a height of 6 feet, with a structural height of 8 feet and a length of 11,159 feet. With a storage capacity of 1,260 acre-feet, this levee covers a surface area of 153 acres and has a normal storage capacity of 844 acre-feet. Despite being designed for irrigation, it does not have a spillway and is equipped with one outlet gate.
Managed by the TCEQ in Texas, the George W Maxwell Levee has not been inspected since March 30, 1976, and its condition assessment remains unrated. However, it has been classified as having a high risk potential (2), although specific risk management measures are not listed. With no emergency action plan prepared or inundation maps available, the levee's hazard potential and overall risk assessment are currently not available, suggesting a need for updated assessments and preparedness measures to safeguard against potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the George W Maxwell Levee presents an intriguing case study in irrigation infrastructure design and management. With its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century and its location in a flood-prone area, this levee highlights the importance of regular inspections, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness in ensuring the safety and functionality of critical water management structures. As conversations around climate change and extreme weather events continue to evolve, the George W Maxwell Levee serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with maintaining and protecting our water resources.
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 George W Maxwell Levee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Water Authority Canal Nr Dayton | 858 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Liberty | 7,570 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Wallisville | 2,180 cfs | → |
| Pine Island Bayou Nr Sour Lake | 98 cfs | → |
| Cedar Bayou Nr Crosby | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Luce Bayou Abv Lk Houston Nr Huffman | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near George W Maxwell Levee.
Boat launches
- East Freeway, Wallisville
- Hugo Point County Park
- Anahuac Boat Ramp
- Beaumont Highway Harris County
- Russell Rd, Texas
- Buddy Mcbride Public Boat Ramp Park
Campgrounds
- White Memorial County Park
- Hugo Point County Park
- Fort Anahuac County Park
- Mccollum County Park
- Winnie - Stowell County Park
- Double Bayou County Park
Paddle runs
- Preserve Boundary In The Lance Rosier Unit To Confluence With Pine Island Bayou
- Preserve Boundary In The Lance Rosier Unit To Confluence With The Neches River
- Confluence With Big Sandy Creek To Confluence With The Neches River
- Farm To Market Road 1375 To East Fork Of San Jacinto River
- Hwy 96 Bridge To Neches River Saltwater Barrier
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Trinity River
Track George W Maxwell Levee 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 George W Maxwell Levee
Where does the data for George W Maxwell Levee 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 George W Maxwell Levee.