Franklin County Dam dam
Franklin County Dam
Franklin County Dam, located in Mount Vernon, Texas, along Big Cypress Creek, was completed in 1971 and serves multiple purposes including recreation and water supply. The dam, primarily owned by the local government, stands at a height of 73 feet and has a length of 5250 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 164,000 acre-feet. It is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 1010 feet and has undergone modifications in 1997 for structural improvements. Despite being classified as having a fair condition assessment as of April 2021, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. Emergency action plans and risk management measures for the dam are not readily available, indicating potential areas for improvement in response preparedness. Overall, Franklin County Dam is a significant infrastructure for the region, safeguarding water resources and providing recreational opportunities for the community.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Franklin County Dam of interest due to its critical role in water supply management and its impact on the surrounding environment. The dam's design by Wisenbaker Fix & Assoc and Hayter Eng Inc, along with its state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight by TCEQ, highlight the collaboration and expertise involved in ensuring the dam's safety and functionality. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, understanding the infrastructure and risk factors associated with dams like Franklin County Dam becomes increasingly important for sustainable water management practices 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 Franklin County Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Cypress Ck At Us Hwy 271 Nr Pittsburg | 11 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Nr Pittsburg | 15 cfs | → |
| White Oak Ck Nr Talco | 201 cfs | → |
| Sulphur Rv Nr Talco | 183 cfs | → |
| White Oak Ck At Ih 30 Nr Omaha | 77 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Ck Nr Quitman | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Franklin County Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Road 2117 Titus County
- Franklin County
- Titus County
- Boat Ramp Road Titus County
- North Jefferson Avenue Mount Pleasant
Campgrounds
- Dogwood Park
- Jack Guthrie Park - Monticello Reservoir
- Twin Oaks Park - Lake Cypress Springs
- Walleye Park - Lake Cypress Springs
- Overlook Park - Lake Cypress Springs
- Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Fishing spots
Track Franklin County 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 Franklin County Dam
Where does the data for Franklin County 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 Franklin County Dam.