Lake Galahad Dam dam
Lake Galahad Dam
Lake Galahad Dam, located in Hillister, Texas, is a captivating recreational spot nestled beside the Magnolia Branch river. Built in 1958, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 11 feet with a length of 900 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 730 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering visitors a serene escape with a surface area of 85 acres for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Lake Galahad Dam has undergone structural modifications in 2004 and 2009 to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates for water release, with a moderate risk assessment level. With a fair condition assessment as of June 2018, Lake Galahad Dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, providing both relaxation and opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
As a significant part of the Tyler County landscape, Lake Galahad Dam serves as a vital water resource for the community while also enhancing the local ecosystem. With its rich history, structural integrity, and recreational offerings, this dam is a must-visit destination for those passionate about water conservation, climate resilience, and outdoor enjoyment in the heart of 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 Lake Galahad Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neches Rv Nr Town Bluff | 3,590 cfs | → |
| Village Ck Nr Kountze | 688 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Rockland | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Menard Ck Nr Rye | 151 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv At Evadale | 3,820 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Romayor | 4,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Galahad Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Indian Village Campground
- Alabama - Coushatta Lake Tombigbee
- Lake Tejas City Park
- B.A. Steinhagen Lake Campground
- Campers Cove - Town Bluff Reservoir
- Magnolia Ridge - Town Bluff Reservoir
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Big Sandy Creek
- Confluence With Big Sandy Creek To Confluence With The Neches River
- Town Bluff Dam To Hwy 96 Bridge
- Preserve Boundary Of The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Village Creek
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Trinity River
- Us Highway 69 To Ba Steinhagen Reservoir
Track Lake Galahad 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 Lake Galahad Dam
Where does the data for Lake Galahad 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 Lake Galahad Dam.