Fin-Feather Lake Dam dam
Fin-Feather Lake Dam
Located in Brazos, Texas, the Fin-Feather Lake Dam stands as a testament to flood risk reduction efforts in the region. Built in 1930, this private-owned Earth dam spans 1,310 feet in length and reaches a height of 16.1 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. Serving as a crucial infrastructure along the TR-Burton Creek, the dam's primary purpose is to mitigate flooding events and safeguard the surrounding area from potential risks.
Managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and subject to state regulations, the Fin-Feather Lake Dam has been assessed to be in fair condition as of June 2015. With a moderate risk level and sporadic inspection frequency every 5 years, the dam's uncontrolled spillway and single outlet gate underscore the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure its continued functionality. Despite its relatively small surface area of 25 acres, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the local community and ecosystem, highlighting the crucial interplay between water resources management and climate resilience in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricate details of the Fin-Feather Lake Dam, its historical significance and engineering intricacies offer a glimpse into the symbiotic relationship between human infrastructure and environmental stewardship. With Congressman Bill Flores representing the area, the dam serves as a beacon of flood risk reduction efforts, showcasing the collaborative efforts between federal, state, and private stakeholders in safeguarding communities against natural disasters. As discussions around risk management and resilience grow in importance, the Fin-Feather Lake Dam stands as a prime example of proactive measures taken to protect against potential hazards and underline the critical role of sustainable water resource management in combating climate challenges.
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 Fin-Feather Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Ck Main At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Bee Ck Trib A At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv At Sh 21 Nr Bryan | 5,670 cfs | → |
| Davidson Ck Nr Lyons | 12 cfs | → |
| Little Brazos Rv At Fm 485 Nr Hearne | 560 cfs | → |
| Navasota Rv At Old Spanish Rd Nr Bryan | 770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fin-Feather Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- P4-746, Bryan
- Gibbon Creek Boat Ramp
- Farm To Market 50 13508-13698, Brenham
- Texas 105 20000, Navasota
- Burleson County
- Lake Drive, Somerville
Campgrounds
- Gibbons Creek Reservoir
- Welch Park - Somerville
- Navasota Rv Park
- Big Creek Park And Marina Dispersed
- Overlook - Lake Somerville
- 82
Fishing spots
Track Fin-Feather 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 Fin-Feather Lake Dam
Where does the data for Fin-Feather 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 Fin-Feather Lake Dam.