Porter Lake Dam dam
Porter Lake Dam
Porter Lake Dam, located in Terrell, Texas, was completed in 1914 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. The earth dam, with a height of 16.25 feet and a length of 1220 feet, holds a maximum storage capacity of 196 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 20 acres. The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and has undergone modifications in 1952 for structural improvements and in 2008 for hydraulic enhancements.
The dam's condition is assessed as fair, with the last inspection conducted in July 2017 and scheduled for every 5 years. The dam has a spillway width of 471 feet and features outlet gates for controlled water release. In case of emergencies, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in 2011, and contact information is updated as needed. Overall, Porter Lake Dam remains a vital resource for water management and wildlife conservation in the area, while also providing essential fire protection services for the local community.
With its rich history dating back over a century, Porter Lake Dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in Kaufman County, Texas. Its strategic location along the TR-Kings Creek, within the Fort Worth District, ensures efficient water storage and distribution for various uses. The dam's association with private ownership highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in sustaining critical infrastructure like dams, especially in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing water demand. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, the resilience and proper maintenance of Porter Lake Dam will be essential in safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem and communities that rely on its services.
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 Porter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S Fk Sabine Rv Nr Quinlan | 37 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Blw Lk Ray Hubbard Nr Forney | 51 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Nr Forney | 61 cfs | → |
| Kings Ck At Sh 34 Nr Kaufman | 21 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Nr Crandall | 417 cfs | → |
| Squabble Ck At Shores Blvd Nr Rockwall | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Porter Lake Dam.
Track Porter 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 Porter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Porter 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 Porter Lake Dam.