Wells Dam No 1 dam
Wells Dam No 1
Wells Dam No 1, located in Hainesville, Texas, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for irrigation purposes along the Graveyard Branch. Built in 1957, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a length of 850 feet, providing a storage capacity of 594 acre-feet. The dam also offers recreational opportunities with a surface area of 37.7 acres.
Managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Wells Dam No 1 is regularly inspected and regulated to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 272 feet and three outlet gates. Despite being classified as having a moderate risk level, the hazard potential is not available, and the condition assessment is not rated. The dam underwent modifications in 1975 to improve its hydraulic capabilities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wells Dam No 1 presents an intriguing case study in dam engineering and management. With its historical significance and critical role in supporting irrigation activities in Wood County, Texas, this structure exemplifies the balance between water resource utilization and environmental stewardship. As stakeholders continue to monitor and maintain Wells Dam No 1, it serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Wells Dam No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fork Ck Nr Quitman | 16 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Mineola | 103 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 259 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Nr Big Sandy | 84 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Wills Point | 111 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Gladewater | 380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wells Dam No 1.
Boat launches
- Private Road 5183 Wood County
- County Road 1973 Wood County
- Wood County
- Fm 2946 Rains County
- County Road 3440 2448, Wood County
- Fm 14 Smith County
Campgrounds
- Governor Jim Hogg Rv Park - Quitman
- Lake Quitman Park
- Lake Holbrook Park - West
- Lake Holbrook Park - South
- Lake Winnsboro North Park
- Fish Hawke Point
Fishing spots
Track Wells Dam No 1 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 Wells Dam No 1
Where does the data for Wells Dam No 1 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 Wells Dam No 1.