Lake Kirby Dam dam
Lake Kirby Dam
Lake Kirby Dam, located in Abilene, Texas, is a vital water resource structure built in 1928 for irrigation purposes along Cedar Creek. Designed by Nigel Witt Rollins, this earth dam stands at a height of 50 feet and spans 4200 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 15,922 acre-feet and a surface area of 780 acres. The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
With a fair condition assessment and a moderate hazard potential rating, Lake Kirby Dam plays a crucial role in managing water supply and irrigation needs in the region. The dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates for efficient water release, with a maximum discharge capacity of 47,661 cubic feet per second. The surrounding drainage area covers 47.2 square miles, highlighting the dam's significance in water management and flood control efforts. Despite being non-Federal and locally owned, Lake Kirby Dam remains a key component of the water infrastructure in Taylor County, Texas, supporting agricultural activities and water supply for the community.
Overall, Lake Kirby Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and infrastructure development in Texas. With its strategic location and design features, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of irrigation while also contributing to water supply needs in the region. As a regulated and inspected structure, Lake Kirby Dam ensures the safety and sustainability of water resources along Cedar Creek, making it a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices.
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 Kirby 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 At Nugent | 0 cfs | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv Nr Noodle | 7 cfs | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv At Lueders | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Kirby Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Kirby 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 Kirby Dam
Where does the data for Lake Kirby 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 Kirby Dam.