Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 dam
Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3
Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a stunning example of a recreational dam constructed in 1976 by the renowned design firm Freese and Nichols. With a height and hydraulic height of 9 feet, the dam stretches 330 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 73 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the Yellow House Draw river and serves as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 boasts a fair condition assessment and a moderate hazard potential rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway, outlet gates, and a drainage area of 214 square miles, making it an essential piece of infrastructure for flood control and water storage in the region. With regular inspections and a designated emergency action plan, the dam ensures the safety and well-being of the surrounding community while contributing to the conservation and management of water resources in the area.
As part of the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 represents a harmonious blend of engineering excellence and natural beauty. Its role in providing recreational opportunities, flood protection, and water storage highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. Whether admiring its structural design or appreciating its environmental impact, this dam stands as a testament to the vital connection between water resources and climate resilience in the modern era.
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 Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Fk Dmf Brazos Rv At Loop 289 Nr Lubbock | 14 cfs | → |
| Running Water Draw At Plainview | 1 cfs | → |
| Dmf Brazos Rv At Justiceburg | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3.
Campgrounds
Track Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 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 Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3
Where does the data for Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3 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 Canyon Lakes Project Dam No 3.