Decker Lake Dam dam
Decker Lake Dam
Located in Montgomery County, Texas, the Decker Lake Dam stands as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the unnamed TR Decker Branch. Completed in 2002 by LJA Engineering Inc and Turner Collie and Braden Inc, this earth dam with a buttress core type has a height of 13.7 meters and a length of 900 meters. It boasts a storage capacity of 362 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 87 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 74 acres and draining an area of 2.07 square kilometers.
With a spillway width of 285 meters and uncontrolled spillway type, the Decker Lake Dam is equipped to manage a maximum discharge of 2 cubic meters per second. Inspected in 2017 and rated in fair condition, the dam has undergone structural modifications in 2016 to ensure its continued effectiveness. While the hazard potential and emergency preparedness information are not available, the dam's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, with a risk management plan in place.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Decker Lake Dam offers a captivating example of engineering prowess and environmental stewardship in mitigating flood risks and managing water resources in the Houston area. As a state-regulated and permitted structure under the oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding communities and ecosystems. Its strategic location and design parameters make it a significant asset for flood control and water management in the region, reflecting a commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and risk reduction.
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 Decker Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Ck Nr Tomball | 9 cfs | → |
| Dry Ck At Fm 2978 | 2 cfs | → |
| Spring Ck At Kuykendahl Rd | 26 cfs | → |
| Willow Ck Nr Tomball | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Cypress | 5 cfs | → |
| Lake Ck At Sendera Ranch Rd Nr Conroe | 77 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Decker Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Edgewater Drive 32210, Montgomery County
- Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands
- Boat Launch The Woodlands
- Piney Shores Boat Ramp
- Conroe Boat Ramp 830
- Scotts Ridge Swim Area
Campgrounds
- Spring Creek Park
- Texas Rennaissance Festival - Quiet - Family Camping
- Texas Rennaissance Festival - Loud - Barbarian Camping
- Grizzly Pines - Gay Campground
- End Of The Road Spot
- Kelly's Pond Campground
Fishing spots
Track Decker 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 Decker Lake Dam
Where does the data for Decker 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 Decker Lake Dam.