Murvaul Bayou Dam dam
Murvaul Bayou Dam
Murvaul Bayou Dam, located in Gary, Texas, is a private structure regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 46 feet and spans 9000 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 129,000 acre-feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing opportunities for water-based activities in the scenic surroundings of Murvaul Creek.
With a spillway width of 550 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 49,101 cubic feet per second, the dam has undergone structural modifications in 1991 to ensure its integrity. The latest condition assessment in April 2021 rated the dam as 'fair,' highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. Despite its moderate hazard potential, the dam remains a crucial water resource for the region, supporting not only recreation but also water supply needs.
Managed by private owners, Murvaul Bayou Dam showcases the collaborative efforts of designers and engineers from Forrest and Cotton, KSA Engineers. Its presence underscores the significance of sustainable water resource management in balancing the demands of recreation and water supply while ensuring the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Murvaul Bayou Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Rv Nr Carthage | 7,250 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Beckville | 496 cfs | → |
| E Fk Angelina Rv Nr Cushing | 132 cfs | → |
| Bayou Grand Cane Near Stanley | · | → |
| Sabine Rv Bl Longview | 414 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lanana At Nacogdoches | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murvaul Bayou Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 317a Panola County
- County Road 1510, Center
- County Road 1211, Center
- Tx 149 Easton
- Boat Launch Road Harrison County
Campgrounds
- Tinkle Park - Lake Murvaul
- Rosie Jones Park - Lake Murvaul
- Shelter Camping Area
- Broken Bowl Camping Area
- Martin Creek Lake State Park
- Bee Tree Camping Loop
Fishing spots
Track Murvaul Bayou 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam
Where does the data for Murvaul Bayou 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam.