Dam 49 dam
Dam 49
Dam 49, also known as Larned Lake, is a federal-owned earth dam located in Bell County, Texas along the North Nolan Creek. Managed by the US Army, this dam stands at a height of 44 feet and has a storage capacity of 2900 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 200 feet, Dam 49 has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3.
Despite its critical role in water resource management, Dam 49 lacks detailed condition assessment information and emergency action preparedness. The last inspection in September 2020 highlighted the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the dam's structural integrity and public safety. With its uncontrolled spillway and high hazard potential, the risk management measures for Dam 49 are crucial in mitigating potential flood risks and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities in the event of an emergency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Dam 49 serves as a focal point for understanding the complexities of dam management and the importance of proactive risk assessment and mitigation strategies. As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, efforts to improve the condition assessment, emergency preparedness, and risk management of Dam 49 are essential to safeguarding both the environment and the community it serves.
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 Dam 49 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ck At S Penelope | 130 cfs | → |
| Leon Rv Nr Belton | 368 cfs | → |
| Lampasas Rv Nr Belton | 965 cfs | → |
| Salado Ck At Salado | 110 cfs | → |
| Lampasas Rv At Ding Dong | 713 cfs | → |
| Cowhouse Ck At Pidcoke | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dam 49.
Boat launches
- Denmans Lane, Belton
- Westcliff Park, Belton
- Farm-To-Market Road 2305, Belton
- Owl Creek Park Road 6800, Gatesville
- Rogers Park Road 2256-2400, Belton
- Moffat Road, Temple
Campgrounds
- Belton Lake Military - Fort Hood
- Westcliff - Belton Lake
- Owl Creek - Belton Lake
- Live Oak Ridge Park - Belton Lake
- 26
- 25
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Dam 49 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 Dam 49
Where does the data for Dam 49 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 High 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 Dam 49.