Big Lake Dam dam
Big Lake Dam
Big Lake Dam, located on the East Bosque River in Bosque, Texas, was completed in 1948 by designers Childress and Recer. This private dam stands at a height of 54 feet and spans 940 feet, primarily serving the purpose of irrigation. With a storage capacity of 4,272 acre-feet, Big Lake Dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the region.
Although the dam has not been inspected since May 1982, it is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. With a hazard potential that is not available but a high risk assessment rating of 2, it is essential for authorities to prioritize regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of Big Lake Dam. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this structure in managing water resources for irrigation purposes while also understanding the importance of ongoing risk management measures to prevent potential hazards.
Overall, Big Lake Dam is a key infrastructure in the Fort Worth District, serving the community by providing water for irrigation while also posing certain risks that require careful monitoring and management. With its earth dam construction and buttress core type, this dam contributes to the sustainability of agriculture in the region. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is important to recognize the vital role that structures like Big Lake Dam play in managing water supply and supporting local economies, while also acknowledging the need for continued oversight and maintenance to ensure their long-term effectiveness and safety.
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 Big Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paluxy Rv At Glen Rose | 6 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Hico | 7 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Glen Rose | 26 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Ds Lk Granbury Nr Granbury | 17 cfs | → |
| Leon Rv Nr Hamilton | 12 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv Nr Clifton | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Coates Road 2200, Granbury
- Us 67 Somervell County
- Plowman Creek Park Road, Morgan
- Farm To Market 927, Morgan
- Pr 21 North 2212, Cleburne
- County Road 1304, Morgan
Campgrounds
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Hico City Park
- Meridian State Park
- Stephenville City Park
- Thorp Spring - Lake Granbury
- Hunter Park - Lake Granbury
Fishing spots
Track Big 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 Big Lake Dam
Where does the data for Big 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 Big Lake Dam.