Browns Lake Dam dam
Browns Lake Dam
Located in Limestone, Texas, Browns Lake Dam is a privately owned structure that serves various purposes such as fire protection, stock, and small fish pond, as well as recreation. Built in 1951, this earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a length of 920 feet, providing a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Chambers Creek and is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
With a fair condition assessment as of July 2016, Browns Lake Dam has undergone modifications in 1983 and 2012 to enhance its hydraulic capabilities. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 123 feet and is equipped with two uncontrolled and one valve outlet gates. Although the hazard potential is not available, the dam is classified as having a moderate risk level. It is inspected and regulated by the state, ensuring that it meets safety standards for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Browns Lake Dam offers a glimpse into the intricate infrastructure designed to manage water resources while providing recreational opportunities. Its history, design specifications, and risk assessment highlight the importance of maintaining and regulating such structures to ensure the safety and sustainability of water systems in Texas. As a pivotal component of the local ecosystem, Browns Lake Dam stands as a testament to the balance between human development and environmental conservation in the region.
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 Browns Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Ck Nr Freestone | 3 cfs | → |
| Navasota Rv Abv Groesbeck | 0 cfs | → |
| Tehuacana Ck Nr Streetman | 0 cfs | → |
| Upper Keechi Ck Nr Oakwood | 26 cfs | → |
| Navasota Rv Nr Easterly | 56 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 2,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Browns Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Public Use Area 3 - Groesbeck
- Public Use Area 2 - Groesbeck
- Fort Parker State Park
- Public Use Area 5 - Thornton
- Lake Mexia Rec Area
- Fairfield Lake State Park
Track Browns 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 Browns Lake Dam
Where does the data for Browns 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 Browns Lake Dam.