Wildlake Dam dam
Wildlake Dam
Wildlake Dam, located in Helotes, Texas, serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along Ranch Creek. Designed by CEC Don Durden, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 467 acre-feet. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 125 feet, and it is equipped with one uncontrolled outlet gate.
With a fair condition assessment as of April 2021, Wildlake Dam has been inspected regularly, with the last inspection conducted in March 2013. The dam poses a moderate risk level and is under state regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While the dam has not been modified since 2013, it remains an essential structure in the region, providing flood protection for the surrounding area.
Wildlake Dam, part of the Galveston District, plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Bexar County, Texas. Its construction and operation are overseen by local government authorities, ensuring its functionality and safety for the community. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wildlake Dam stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction infrastructure in the region, safeguarding against potential disasters and protecting nearby residents from flooding events along Ranch Creek.
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 Wildlake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Helotes Ck At Helotes | · | → |
| San Geronimo Ck Nr Helotes | 3 cfs | → |
| Salado Ck At Wilderness Rd At San Antonio | 0 cfs | → |
| Salado Ck At Blanco Rd. San Antonio | · | → |
| Cibolo Ck Nr Boerne | 12 cfs | → |
| Olmos Ck At Dresden Dr | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wildlake Dam.
Boat launches
- Paradise Canyon. Medina River Access.
- Woodlawn Lake Trail San Antonio
- Pop's Place. Medina Lake.
- Nichols Landing. Guadalupe River Access
- Rebecca Creek. Canyon Lake.
Campgrounds
- Lackland Afb Military
- Castroville Regional Park
- Wilderness Camp Area
- Butterfly Springs Camp Area
- Hermit's Shack Camp Area
- Braunig Lake Park
Fishing spots
Track Wildlake 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 Wildlake Dam
Where does the data for Wildlake 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 Wildlake Dam.