Holmes Dam dam
Holmes Dam
Holmes Dam, located in Harrison County, Texas, was completed in 1945 by the Texas & Pacific Railway and East TX Engineers. This earth dam, with a height of 31 feet and a length of 1105 feet, was primarily designed for recreational purposes along Grays Creek. The dam has a storage capacity of 2716 acre-feet and a surface area of 119 acres, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Holmes Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state government to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 200 feet, and three uncontrolled outlet gates. In 1991, the dam underwent structural modifications to enhance its safety and functionality, further solidifying its role as a reliable water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite its moderate risk assessment, Holmes Dam remains a well-maintained and essential infrastructure for water management in the region. With its scenic location and recreational amenities, the dam continues to attract water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor adventures and relaxation along Grays Creek in Texas.
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 Holmes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Jefferson | 75 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Abv Sh 43 Nr Karnack | 167 cfs | → |
| Black Cypress Bayou At Jefferson | 33 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Nr Jefferson | 16 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Beckville | 348 cfs | → |
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Ore City | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holmes Dam.
Boat launches
- East Dallas Street 100, Jefferson
- Boat Launch Road Harrison County
- Marion County
- Big Cypress Marina Road 1500, Jefferson
Campgrounds
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Buckhorn Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Buckhorn Creek Campground
- Brushy Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Hurricane Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Johnson Creek - Lake Of The Pines
Fishing spots
Track Holmes 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 Holmes Dam
Where does the data for Holmes 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 Holmes Dam.