Darnell Dam No 3 dam
Darnell Dam No 3
Located in Van Zandt, Texas, Darnell Dam No 3 is a private earth dam built in 1952 for recreational purposes along the TR-Grand Saline Creek. Standing at a height of 16 feet with a length of 720 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 33 acre-feet. Despite being non-state regulated, the dam is subject to state permitting and inspection requirements.
With a primary purpose of recreation, Darnell Dam No 3 offers a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. Although it has not been rated for condition assessment, the dam is under a high-risk category with unspecified risk management measures in place. The absence of a spillway and limited structural information may raise concerns among stakeholders, prompting the need for further evaluation and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Even though the dam has not been modified in decades and lacks detailed regulatory oversight, its presence along the Grand Saline Creek serves as a reminder of the importance of water resource management in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the upkeep and monitoring of structures like Darnell Dam No 3 become essential in safeguarding both human and ecological well-being.
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 Darnell Dam No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Rv Nr Mineola | 103 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Ck Nr Quitman | 16 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Wills Point | 111 cfs | → |
| Cedar Ck Nr Kemp | 1 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 259 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Nr Big Sandy | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Darnell Dam No 3.
Boat launches
- Private Road 5183 Wood County
- Wood County
- County Road 1973 Wood County
- Rains County
- Private Road 7398 469, Wills Point
Campgrounds
- Lake Holbrook Park - West
- Lake Holbrook Park - South
- Governor Jim Hogg Rv Park - Quitman
- Lake Quitman Park
- Lake Tawakoni State Park
- Purtis Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Darnell 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 Darnell Dam No 3
Where does the data for Darnell 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 Darnell Dam No 3.