Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee dam
Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee
Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee is a crucial flood risk reduction structure located in Waco, Texas, along the Brazos River. Built in 1951 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earth dam stands at a height of 159 feet and serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond, recreation, and water supply in addition to flood risk reduction. The dam has a storage capacity of over 2 million acre-feet and covers a surface area of 23,560 acres, providing vital protection to the surrounding areas.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the risk associated with the Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee is managed through regular inspections, monitoring, and maintenance activities. The Emergency Action Plan is updated and exercised annually to improve emergency response and coordination among various stakeholders. Although the risk of levee failure is deemed low by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the community of Kopperl remains vigilant and prepared for any potential flooding events, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
In the unlikely event of a levee breach, the City of Kopperl could face flooding up to one-story deep, impacting buildings and critical infrastructure. However, the comprehensive risk management measures in place, including ongoing surveillance and communication efforts, aim to mitigate these risks and protect the community from potential losses. Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee stands as a testament to the importance of effective flood risk reduction infrastructure and proactive risk management strategies in safeguarding water resources and climate resilience.
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 Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv Nr Aquilla | 81 cfs | → |
| Aquilla Ck Abv Aquilla | 0 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv Nr Clifton | 23 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Valley Mills | 44 cfs | → |
| Hog Ck Nr Crawford | 14 cfs | → |
| Nolan Rv At Blum | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee.
Track Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee 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 Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee
Where does the data for Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee 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 Whitney Dam - Kopperl Levee.