Lake Forest Dam dam
Lake Forest Dam
Lake Forest Dam, located in Denton, Texas, is a vital water resource and recreational area managed by the local government. Built in 1935, this Earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a length of 400 feet, providing storage capacity of 86 acre-feet for the nearby TR-FLETCHER BRANCH river. Although the dam does not have a spillway, it serves the primary purpose of recreation, attracting visitors to its 11-acre surface area for various outdoor activities.
Despite being designated as a high-risk structure, Lake Forest Dam has not been rated for condition assessment, indicating a need for closer monitoring and potential risk management measures. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees the regulatory aspects of the dam, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a hazard potential that is not available, there is a call for increased preparedness and communication in case of emergencies, as well as the development of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to ensure the safety of the surrounding community in the event of a dam failure.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, it is essential to recognize the significance of Lake Forest Dam in both water storage and recreational activities. With its historical construction dating back to the 1930s, the dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity while also highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and risk management in the face of changing climate patterns and environmental challenges. By staying informed and advocating for the safety and sustainability of structures like Lake Forest Dam, we can contribute to the preservation and responsible management of our precious water resources for future generations.
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 Lake Forest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory Ck At Denton | 195 cfs | → |
| Denton Ck Nr Justin | 18 cfs | → |
| Elm Fk Trinity Rv Nr Lewisville | 369 cfs | → |
| Clear Ck Nr Sanger | 18 cfs | → |
| Denton Ck Nr Grapevine | 260 cfs | → |
| Doe Br At Us Hwy 380 Nr Prosper | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Forest Dam.
Boat launches
- Orchid Hill Lane Highland Village
- Sycamore Bend Road Hickory Creek
- Big Sandy Boat Ramp
- Arrowhead Leg 1 Hickory Creek
- Kelton Avenue Hickory Creek
- Westlake Park Hickory Creek
Campgrounds
- Little Elm Park
- Isle Du Bois - Roberts Lake State Park
- Sandy Lake Rv Resort
- Johnson Branch - Roberts Lake State Park
- Constellation Park Campsite #1
- Constellation Park Campsite #4
Track Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest Dam
Where does the data for Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest Dam.