Drechsel Lake Dam dam
Drechsel Lake Dam
Drechsel Lake Dam, located in Somervell, Texas, along Mustang Creek, was completed in 1966 for the primary purpose of water supply. This privately-owned earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 620 feet, with a storage capacity of 190 acre-feet. Despite being non-regulated by the state, the dam has been designed with a buttress core and has a high hazard potential rating.
The dam lacks a spillway and is equipped with only one outlet gate. With a risk assessment rating of high (2), the condition of Drechsel Lake Dam is currently not rated. While the dam has not been modified in recent years and does not have an emergency action plan in place, it is monitored for inspection and permitting by the state of Texas. With its strategic location and critical role in water supply, Drechsel Lake Dam serves as a notable feature within the Fort Worth District, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in infrastructure and environmental management.
Overall, Drechsel Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the intersection of private ownership, infrastructure design, and regulatory oversight in the context of water supply management. Its location along Mustang Creek in Texas, with a high hazard potential and lack of spillway, raises questions about risk management and emergency preparedness. As stakeholders continue to monitor and assess the condition of Drechsel Lake Dam, it serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands for water supply.
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 Drechsel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paluxy Rv At Glen Rose | 6 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Glen Rose | 385 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Hico | 8 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Ds Lk Granbury Nr Granbury | 359 cfs | → |
| Nolan Rv At Blum | 47 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv Nr Clifton | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Drechsel Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 67 Somervell County
- Coates Road 2200, Granbury
- Pr 21 North 2212, Cleburne
- Plowman Creek Park Road, Morgan
- Farm To Market 927, Morgan
- Monticello Drive 8517, Granbury
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 Drechsel 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 Drechsel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Drechsel 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 Drechsel Lake Dam.