Crystal Falls Dam dam
Crystal Falls Dam
Located in Stephens County, Texas, the Crystal Falls Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, with a gravity design and buttress core type. Completed in 1921, this private-owned dam on the Clear Fork Brazos River serves a primary purpose beyond flood control or water storage, making it a unique structure in the area. Standing at a height of 10 feet and a length of 210 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 430 acre-feet and lacks a spillway, indicating its historical significance in water resource management.
Despite its age, the Crystal Falls Dam remains in relatively good condition, with a hazard potential that is currently not available. Its last inspection date was in 1971, showcasing the need for updated assessments to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the dam. With a risk assessment rating of high, there is a need for proactive risk management measures to be put in place to mitigate any potential hazards that may arise in the future. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find this dam an intriguing piece of infrastructure with a rich history and significant impact on the surrounding area.
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 Crystal Falls Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv Nr South Bend | 7 cfs | → |
| Hubbard Ck Bl Albany | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Abv Breckenridge | 0 cfs | → |
| Clear Fk Brazos Rv At Ft Griffin | 3 cfs | → |
| Deep Ck At Moran | · | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Graford | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Falls Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 278 Stephens County
- Palo Pinto County
- Lake Eddleman Public Boat Ramp
- Park Road 36 Palo Pinto County
Campgrounds
- Lake Daniel City Park
- Fort Griffin State Historic Site
- Fort Belknap County Park
- Possum Kingdom State Park
- Firemans City Park - Graham
- Lake Eddleman City Park
Fishing spots
Track Crystal Falls 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 Crystal Falls Dam
Where does the data for Crystal Falls 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 Crystal Falls Dam.