Howard Lake Dam dam
Howard Lake Dam
Howard Lake Dam, located in San Jacinto, Texas, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1957 for the primary purpose of water supply. Standing at a height of 16 feet with a length of 260 feet, this structure plays a crucial role in providing water storage for the surrounding area. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 130 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 83 acre-feet, serving the local community's water needs effectively.
Situated on Oil Creek and managed by the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Howard Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment but is classified as having a high risk level (2). Despite lacking a spillway, the dam features one outlet gate, emphasizing its importance in water management. With no regulatory agency overseeing its operations and enforcement, the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness remain unclear. As a vital component of the water supply infrastructure, Howard Lake Dam serves as a critical resource for maintaining water security in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the ecological impact of dams and water supply systems can find Howard Lake Dam an intriguing subject for study. The dam's historical significance, design features, and risk assessment status present opportunities for research and analysis in understanding the role of such structures in water management and conservation efforts. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, Howard Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for community resilience and adaptation to environmental changes.
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 Howard Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Fk San Jacinto Rv Nr Cleveland | 49 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Goodrich | 10,600 cfs | → |
| Caney Ck Nr Splendora | 49 cfs | → |
| Peach Ck At Splendora | 32 cfs | → |
| Long King Ck At Livingston | 39 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Romayor | 10,600 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howard Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Livingston Trail Polk County
- Barn Hill Road, Shepherd
- State Park Road 65 1034, Livingston
- 190 Boat Launch 898, Point Blank
- Fm 2457 4298, Polk County
Campgrounds
- Lsht Primitive Campsite #2
- Lone Star Trail Primitive Camp Site Number 1
- Double Lake Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205
- Double Lake
- Double Lake Recreation Area
- Wolf Creek Park - Lake Livingston
Paddle runs
- Farm To Market Road 1375 To East Fork Of San Jacinto River
- Preserve Boundary In The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Trinity River
- Preserve Boundary Of The Big Sandy Unit To Confluence With Village Creek
- Preserve Boundary In The Lance Rosier Unit To Confluence With Pine Island Bayou
- Confluence With Big Sandy Creek To Confluence With The Neches River
- State Highway 7 To Us Highway 59
Track Howard 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 Howard Lake Dam
Where does the data for Howard 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 Howard Lake Dam.