Lake Abilene Dam dam
Lake Abilene Dam
Lake Abilene Dam, located in Buffalo Gap, Texas, is a vital structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water supply. Built in 1921, this earth dam stands at a height of 64 feet and stretches over 5040 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 15,990 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Elm Creek, also boasts a surface area of 583 acres and a drainage area of 101 square miles.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Lake Abilene Dam underwent modifications in 1981 to enhance its functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 1410 feet and several outlet gates for water management. Despite a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition remains unrated, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety for the surrounding community.
Furthermore, Lake Abilene Dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2017, indicating preparedness measures in case of potential hazards. With its rich history, strategic location, and significant role in water resource management, Lake Abilene Dam stands as a symbol of sustainable development and environmental stewardship 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 Lake Abilene Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cat Claw Ck At Abilene | · | → |
| Cedar Ck At Ih 20 | · | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv At Hawley | 1 cfs | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv Nr Noodle | 7 cfs | → |
| Elm Ck At Ballinger | 61 cfs | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv At Nugent | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Abilene Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Abilene State Park
- Dyess Military - Dyess Afb
- W. Lee Colburn Park
- Lake Sweetwater Park
- Press Morris Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Abilene 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 Lake Abilene Dam
Where does the data for Lake Abilene 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 Lake Abilene Dam.