Hidden Lake dam
Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake, located in Austin, Texas, is a private reservoir with a primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1969, the earth dam stands at 42 feet high and spans 400 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 5.78 acres and has a drainage area of 1.1 square miles. The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and has undergone structural modifications in 1993.
Despite its modest size, Hidden Lake offers recreational opportunities in addition to its irrigation function. The reservoir is fed by Bull Creek and has a maximum discharge rate of 16,000 cubic feet per second. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and 62 feet wide, helps manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall. The dam is classified as having a fair condition assessment and a moderate risk level, with inspections taking place every 5 years to ensure its safety and integrity.
The dam at Hidden Lake is a testament to the importance of water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. As a vital piece of infrastructure in Travis County, this reservoir plays a crucial role in supplying water for agricultural purposes while also providing a space for recreation and enjoyment. With its strategic location and careful regulation by the TCEQ, Hidden Lake stands as a model for sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Hidden Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Ck At Lake Ck Pkwy Nr Austin | 1 cfs | → |
| Bull Ck At Loop 360 Nr Austin | 5 cfs | → |
| Shoal Ck At Silverway Dr | · | → |
| Brushy Ck At Cedar Park | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Walnut Ck At Georgian Dr | 1 cfs | → |
| Brushy Ck At Ih 35 | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hidden Lake.
Boat launches
- Bullick Hollow Road 13601, Austin
- North Capital Of Texas Highway 5015, Austin
- Greenshores Drive 6921, Travis County
- Mansfield Park Drive, Austin
- Lime Creek Road 9684-9766, Leander
- Low Water Crossing Road, Austin
Campgrounds
- Cypress Creek - Lake Travis
- Sandy Creek - Lake Travis
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park
- Camp Mabry Military
- Arkansas Bend - Lake Travis
- Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis
Fishing spots
Track Hidden Lake 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 Hidden Lake
Where does the data for Hidden Lake 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 Hidden Lake.