Bistone Dam dam
Bistone Dam
Bistone Dam, located in Limestone, Texas, along the Navasota River, is a vital water resource infrastructure managed by the local government. Constructed in 1961 by KOCH FOWLER & GRAFE INC, this Earth-type dam stands at 50 feet tall and stretches 1645 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 45,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 4,687 acre-feet, the dam serves multiple purposes including recreation, water supply, and other activities.
The dam's hydraulic height matches its structural height at 50 feet, with a spillway width of 520 feet for uncontrolled water release. Despite being categorized as having a fair condition assessment as of January 2015, the dam poses a moderate risk level according to the data, with no specific risk management measures outlined. With a drainage area of 198 square miles and a surface area of 1,009 acres, Bistone Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing essential services to the surrounding communities.
Although the hazard potential is not available, the dam's last inspection was conducted in June 2014, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) overseeing regulatory and inspection activities. With a congressman representation by Bill Flores (R), the dam's significance in water resource management and climate resilience is underscored by its impact on the local ecosystem and water supply stability in the region.
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 Bistone Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Navasota Rv Abv Groesbeck | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Ck Nr Freestone | 1 cfs | → |
| Richland Ck Nr Dawson | 3 cfs | → |
| Tehuacana Ck Nr Streetman | 0 cfs | → |
| Ash Ck At Hwy 171 Nr Malone | 434 cfs | → |
| White Rk Ck At Fm 308 Nr Irene | 498 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bistone Dam.
Boat launches
- Pavelka Drive Hallsburg
- Pep Club Road 299, Hallsburg
- Sommerfeld Drive 1823, Waco
- Navarro County
- Northwest 3360 Road, Frost
Campgrounds
- Lake Mexia Rec Area
- Fort Parker State Park
- Public Use Area 3 - Groesbeck
- Public Use Area 2 - Groesbeck
- Liberty Hill - Navarro Mills Reservoir
- Oak Park - Navarro Mills Reservoir
Track Bistone 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 Bistone Dam
Where does the data for Bistone 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 Bistone Dam.