Lake Margery Dam dam
Lake Margery Dam
Lake Margery Dam, located in San Saba, Texas, is a privately owned structure designed by FREESE AND NICHOLS and completed in 1975 for the primary purpose of irrigation. With a dam height of 33 feet and a length of 1440 feet, this earth dam on TR-BONNETT CREEK has a storage capacity of 1215 acre-feet and a surface area of 54 acres. The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections, with its condition currently assessed as fair.
Despite its modest size, Lake Margery Dam offers recreational opportunities in addition to its irrigation functions. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 84 feet and three uncontrolled outlet gates. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3 out of 5, the dam is considered to have a manageable hazard potential. The surrounding area is characterized by a drainage area of 1 square mile, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and wildlife habitat.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Margery Dam serves as an example of a multi-purpose structure that balances agricultural needs with environmental considerations. As a vital component of the local water management system, the dam plays a crucial role in sustaining both irrigation and recreational activities in the region. With its fair condition and regular oversight, Lake Margery Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam management practices 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 Lake Margery Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Saba Rv At San Saba | 108 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv Nr San Saba | 129 cfs | → |
| Pecan Bayou Nr Mullin | 2 cfs | → |
| San Saba Rv Nr Brady | 3 cfs | → |
| Brady Ck At Brady | 1 cfs | → |
| Llano Rv At Llano | 221 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Margery Dam.
Boat launches
- Hwy 45 Bridge. Colorado River Access
- Shaw Bend; Cr 124 Bridge. Colorado River Access
- Highway 190 Crossing. Colorado River Access
- Brady
- Colorado Bend State Park
Campgrounds
- Joe Ragsdale Rv Park
- San Saba Golf Rv Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Richards City Park
- Brady Lake City Park
- Lometa Regional Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Margery 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 Margery Dam
Where does the data for Lake Margery 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 Margery Dam.