Willow Lake Dam dam
Willow Lake Dam
Willow Lake Dam, located in San Patricio, Texas, was completed in 1970 and stands at a height of 20 feet with a length of 620 feet. This Earth-type dam, designed by USDA NRCS, serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the TR-Nueces River. With a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet and a normal storage of 32 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. Despite not having a spillway, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The dam's purpose extends beyond flood risk reduction, also serving for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. It is owned privately and falls under state jurisdiction, with the TCEQ overseeing its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. The risk assessment for Willow Lake Dam indicates a high risk level, emphasizing the importance of proper management and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this vital water resource infrastructure. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Willow Lake Dam to be a significant structure in the region, contributing to both water management and environmental protection efforts.
With its strategic location along the TR-Nueces River and its crucial role in flood risk reduction and water management, Willow Lake Dam stands as a key asset in the region's infrastructure. Managed by a private entity and regulated by the state, this Earth-type dam continues to play a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential hazards while also supporting various water-related activities. As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the impact of dams on the environment, Willow Lake Dam serves as a prime example of how infrastructure can both mitigate risks and enhance the resilience of communities 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 Willow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nueces Rv At Bluntzer | 131 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Mathis | 28 cfs | → |
| Rincon Bayou Channel Nr Calallen | 1 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv At Calallen | 59 cfs | → |
| Lagarto Ck Nr George West | · | → |
| Petronila Ck At Fm 665 Nr Driscoll | 890 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Lake Dam.
Track Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake Dam.