Lazy S Ranch Dam dam
Lazy S Ranch Dam
Lazy S Ranch Dam in Bastrop, Texas, is a privately-owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS in 1963 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. This dam stands at a height of 17 feet with a length of 400 feet, providing a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Piney Creek, this dam serves as a vital resource for the local community, offering recreational opportunities in addition to its primary functions.
Despite its age, Lazy S Ranch Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and its hazard potential is listed as not available. However, it is recognized as having a high risk level (2), emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. While the dam lacks a spillway, it is equipped with one outlet gate to manage water levels. With no state jurisdiction or regulatory agency overseeing its operations, the responsibility for ensuring the safety and integrity of the dam falls on the private owner.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lazy S Ranch Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately-owned structure with potential risks and vulnerabilities. Its location in the Galveston District and proximity to the city of Smithville highlight the importance of maintaining and monitoring such essential infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions. As discussions around water management and climate resilience continue to evolve, the story of Lazy S Ranch Dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with safeguarding our water resources.
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 Lazy S Ranch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rv At Bastrop | 550 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv At Smithville | 485 cfs | → |
| Plum Ck At Lockhart | 20 cfs | → |
| Peach Creek At Hwy 90 Nr Waelder | · | → |
| Onion Ck At Us Hwy 183 | 3 cfs | → |
| Walnut Ck At Webberville Rd | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lazy S Ranch Dam.
Boat launches
- Riverside Drive 375, Bastrop
- Carter Street 1900, Bastrop
- Farm To Market 969 1115, Bastrop
- Hyatt Lost Pines Road 575, Cedar Creek
- Little Webberville Park
Campgrounds
- Bastrop State Park
- South Shore Park - Lake Bastrop
- Buescher State Park
- North Shore Park - Lake Bastrop
- Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park
- Lockhart State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lazy S Ranch 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 Lazy S Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Lazy S Ranch 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 Lazy S Ranch Dam.