Bass Lake Dam dam
Bass Lake Dam
Bass Lake Dam, located in Van Zandt, Texas, is a private earth dam standing at 16 feet high and stretching 560 feet in length. Built in 1969, its primary purpose is for water supply, with a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet. The dam is situated along Cow Creek and is maintained by the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite not having a spillway, the dam has an outlet gate for water release. Its hazard potential is labeled as "Not Available" and it is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. The risk assessment for Bass Lake Dam is considered high, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) of 2.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bass Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure and management. With its high-risk classification and lack of certain safety features, there is a need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures. As a key component of the water supply system in the area, the dam's condition and safety are crucial for the surrounding community and ecosystem.
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 Bass Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Rv Nr Mineola | 243 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 179 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Ck Nr Quitman | 35 cfs | → |
| Cedar Ck Nr Kemp | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Nr Big Sandy | 38 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 138 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bass Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Farm To Market 315, Chandler
- County Road 3504, Bullard
- Farm-To-Market Road 1892, Frankston
- Park Road Henderson County
- Fm 14 Smith County
- County Road 3440 2448, Wood County
Campgrounds
- Tyler State Park
- Lake Holbrook Park - South
- Lake Holbrook Park - West
- Purtis Creek State Park
- Lake Hawkins County Rv Park
- Camp Meisenbach
Fishing spots
Track Bass 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 Bass Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bass 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 Bass Lake Dam.