Wichman Lake Dam dam
Wichman Lake Dam
Wichman Lake Dam, located in Grimes County, Texas, is a privately owned structure primarily used for water supply purposes. Completed in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and stretches 700 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Navasota River and is under the jurisdiction of the Galveston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite being designated as having a high risk level (2), the condition of the Wichman Lake Dam has not been officially rated. This dam does not have a spillway and lacks any associated locks. While it is not regulated by the state, it does require permitting and inspection, which have been carried out. With its crucial role in providing water supply to the area, this dam serves as a significant resource for both the local community and the surrounding environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wichman Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure with important implications for water management and conservation efforts in Texas. The dam's history, design, and purpose offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining and regulating water infrastructure in a region that is susceptible to the impacts of climate change. As the debate around water resource management continues to evolve, understanding the role and function of dams like Wichman Lake Dam becomes increasingly essential for ensuring the sustainable stewardship of our water resources.
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 Wichman Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Ck Trib A At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Bee Ck Main At College Station | 0 cfs | → |
| Lake Ck Nr Dobbin | 111 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv At Sh 21 Nr Bryan | 7,110 cfs | → |
| Davidson Ck Nr Lyons | 56 cfs | → |
| Yegua Ck Nr Somerville | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wichman Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Gibbon Creek Boat Ramp
- Texas 105 20000, Navasota
- Farm To Market 50 13508-13698, Brenham
- P4-746, Bryan
- North Overlook Park Drive 12870-12872, Brenham
- Burleson County
Campgrounds
- Gibbons Creek Reservoir
- Navasota Rv Park
- Grizzly Pines - Gay Campground
- Camp Site At The End Of Trail. Only Possible Camping On Trail
- Texas Rennaissance Festival - Loud - Barbarian Camping
- Texas Rennaissance Festival - Quiet - Family Camping
Fishing spots
Track Wichman 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 Wichman Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wichman 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 Wichman Lake Dam.