South Nichols Lake Dam dam
South Nichols Lake Dam
South Nichols Lake Dam, located in Henderson, Texas, was completed in 1965 and serves as a vital recreational resource for the local community. Standing at a height of 19 feet with a length of 975 feet, this earth dam on Gum Creek provides a storage capacity of 137 acre-feet, making it an essential water resource in the region. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety.
While South Nichols Lake Dam does not have a spillway, it does have an outlet gate to manage water levels. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 18 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. However, with a high hazard potential rating and limited risk management measures in place, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the dam itself.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, South Nichols Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable dam management practices. With the potential for increased flooding events and changing water availability, it is crucial for dam owners and regulatory agencies to prioritize safety and resilience. By staying proactive in monitoring and addressing potential risks, South Nichols Lake Dam can continue to provide valuable recreational opportunities while safeguarding the surrounding environment.
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 South Nichols Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Rv At Trinidad | 2,270 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Hwy 287 Nr Cayuga | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 143 cfs | → |
| Cedar Ck Nr Kemp | 1 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At W Cedar Creek Pkwy Nr Dosser | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 4,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Nichols Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jupiter Road, Star Harbor
- County Road 2830 15500, Henderson County
- Farm To Market 315, Chandler
- Park Road Henderson County
- Farm-To-Market Road 1892, Frankston
- County Road 3504, Bullard
Campgrounds
Track South Nichols Lake 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 South Nichols Lake Dam
Where does the data for South Nichols 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 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 South Nichols Lake Dam.