Huntsville State Park Dam dam
Huntsville State Park Dam
Huntsville State Park Dam in Texas is a key water resource structure managed by the state, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality overseeing regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at 35 feet high and spans 2600 feet along Prairie Branch, serving primarily for recreational purposes in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 1200 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 6508 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water for various recreational activities within the state park.
The dam's spillway, measuring 150 feet wide, is uncontrolled and can handle a maximum discharge of 45375 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a fair condition assessment as of April 2021, with a moderate risk level, the Huntsville State Park Dam continues to be a vital infrastructure for water management and conservation in the region. Emergency preparedness measures are in place, although the last update on the Emergency Action Plan was in 2012, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam.
With its picturesque location in Walker County, Texas, and under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville State Park Dam stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management for recreational purposes. The dam's association with the DOI NPS and its stone core construction on a soil foundation contribute to its historical significance and environmental impact. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the engineering and regulatory aspects of structures like Huntsville State Park Dam is crucial for appreciating the intersection of natural beauty, recreation, and environmental stewardship in our communities.
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 Huntsville State Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| W Fk San Jacinto Rv Nr Huntsville | 0 cfs | → |
| W Fk San Jacinto Rv Bl Lk Conroe Nr Conroe | 100 cfs | → |
| Lake Ck Nr Dobbin | 4 cfs | → |
| Bedias Ck Nr Madisonville | 91 cfs | → |
| Lake Ck At Sendera Ranch Rd Nr Conroe | 38 cfs | → |
| W Fk San Jacinto Rv Nr Conroe | 93 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Huntsville State Park Dam.
Boat launches
- Scotts Ridge Swim Area
- Conroe Boat Ramp 830
- Piney Shores Boat Ramp
- Riverside
- 190 Boat Launch 898, Point Blank
- San Jacinto County
Campgrounds
- Huntsville State Park
- Cagle Recreation Area
- Cagle Rec Area
- Cagle Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205
- Four Notch Hunter Camp
- Stubblefield Lake
Track Huntsville State Park 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 Huntsville State Park Dam
Where does the data for Huntsville State Park 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 Huntsville State Park Dam.