New Wortham Lake Dam dam
New Wortham Lake Dam
New Wortham Lake Dam, located in Navarro, Texas, was completed in 1963 and serves as a crucial water supply infrastructure for the area. This private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and stretches 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the Cedar Creek river, plays a vital role in providing water for the region, especially during times of drought or increased demand.
Despite its importance for water supply, New Wortham Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment and carries a high-risk potential. With no spillway and limited structural information, there are concerns about the dam's ability to withstand potential hazards. While state inspections and permitting are in place, the lack of enforcement and regulatory oversight raises questions about the long-term safety and maintenance of this critical infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, it is essential to address the risks associated with dams like New Wortham Lake to ensure the resilience of water supply systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to advocate for increased monitoring, maintenance, and risk management measures for dams like New Wortham Lake Dam. With its significant role in providing water supply for the region, the safety and integrity of this infrastructure are crucial for the community's well-being and environmental sustainability. By raising awareness about the potential risks and advocating for proactive measures, we can work towards ensuring the resilience and longevity of vital water supply systems in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 New Wortham Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tehuacana Ck Nr Streetman | 0 cfs | → |
| Richland Ck Nr Dawson | 0 cfs | → |
| Navasota Rv Abv Groesbeck | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Ck Nr Freestone | 3 cfs | → |
| Ash Ck At Hwy 171 Nr Malone | 434 cfs | → |
| White Rk Ck At Fm 308 Nr Irene | 498 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near New Wortham Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lake Mexia Rec Area
- Fort Parker State Park
- Oak Park - Navarro Mills Reservoir
- Liberty Hill - Navarro Mills Reservoir
- Wolf Creek - Navarro Mills Reservoir
- Pecan Point - Navarro Mills Reservoir
Track New Wortham 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 New Wortham Lake Dam
Where does the data for New Wortham 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 New Wortham Lake Dam.