Lamar Lake Dam dam
Lamar Lake Dam
Lamar Lake Dam in Lamar County, Texas, stands as a testament to engineering excellence, with a design by the renowned firm Freese and Nichols. Completed in 1941, this earth dam on Hicks Creek serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water resource management. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 910 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 564 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3 cubic feet per second.
The dam's spillway, with a width of 265 feet, ensures controlled release of excess water, while its uncontrolled outlet gates offer flexibility in water management. The dam received a structural modification in 1996 and undergoes regular inspections every five years. While its hazard potential is not available, it is rated as having a moderate risk level, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees the dam's regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities, ensuring its safety and compliance with state laws.
Located within the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lamar Lake Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources and providing recreational opportunities for the local community. As climate change impacts water availability and quality, sustainable management of dams like Lamar Lake Dam becomes increasingly important. With its storied history and ongoing commitment to safety and efficiency, Lamar Lake Dam stands as a vital resource for water enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
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 Lamar Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Arthur City | 548 cfs | → |
| N Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 1 cfs | → |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Unger | 179 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 409 Nr Honey Grove | 2 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 1396 Nr Honey Grove | · | → |
| S Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lamar Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sanders Cove - Pat Mayse Lake
- Sanders Cove Campground
- Pat Mayse East
- Pat Mayse East - Pat Mayse Lake
- Lamar Point - Pat Mayse Lake
- Pat Mayse West
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Lamar 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 Lamar Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lamar 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 Lamar Lake Dam.