Island Lake Dam dam
Island Lake Dam
Island Lake Dam, located in Newton, Texas, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. This Earth dam, with a height of 32 feet and a length of 600 feet, was completed in 1956 and has a storage capacity of 175 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-East Branch White Oak Creek, this dam provides a surface area of 30 acres for outdoor activities and water sports.
Despite its recreational benefits, Island Lake Dam poses some risk as it is classified as having a high hazard potential. While it currently lacks a spillway, outlet gates, and regular inspections, the dam is not regulated by the state and does not have a condition rating. The surrounding area may experience flooding in the event of a breach, highlighting the importance of proper risk management measures for this structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Island Lake Dam serves as an intriguing subject for further study and monitoring. Its location in a picturesque natural setting, coupled with its potential risks, offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of water management, recreational infrastructure, and environmental conservation. As efforts to assess and mitigate hazards continue, understanding the role of dams like Island Lake in the broader context of climate resilience and water resource management becomes increasingly imperative.
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 Island Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Cow Ck Nr Newton | 29 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Bon Wier | 942 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Town Bluff | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Burkeville | 334 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv At Toledo Bd Res Nr Burkeville | 186 cfs | → |
| Bayou Anacoco Near Rosepine | 49 cfs | → |
About Island Lake Dam
Where does the data for Island 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 below 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.
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.