Valmac Lake Dam dam
Valmac Lake Dam
Valmac Lake Dam in Shelby, Texas, built in 1950, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. This privately-owned Earth dam with a height of 21 feet and length of 480 feet holds a maximum storage capacity of 156 acre-feet. Located on TR-Hillara Creek under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District, the dam does not have a spillway and is classified as having a high risk potential. Despite being non-federally regulated, the dam undergoes state inspection and permitting.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Valmac Lake Dam intriguing for its unique design and purpose. The Buttress core of the Earth dam adds to its structural integrity, while the absence of a spillway raises questions about its flood control capabilities. The dam's location on a tributary of Hillara Creek highlights its importance for local water management and ecological conservation efforts. The dam's high risk classification suggests a need for proactive risk management measures and potential improvements to enhance its safety and efficiency.
Valmac Lake Dam presents an opportunity for further research and analysis in the context of water resource management and climate change adaptation. The dam's historical significance and ongoing role in providing essential services to the local community underscore the importance of monitoring its condition and implementing emergency preparedness measures. By studying the dam's construction, operation, and potential modifications, enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into sustainable water resource management practices and the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of changing environmental 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 Valmac Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bayou Grand Cane Near Stanley | · | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Carthage | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Beckville | 300 cfs | → |
| Attoyac Bayou Nr Chireno | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Bayou Lanana At Nacogdoches | 9 cfs | → |
| Bayou San Patricio Near Benson | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Valmac Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Tinkle Park - Lake Murvaul
- Rosie Jones Park - Lake Murvaul
- Boles Field: (409) 625-1940
- Boles Field Campground
- Boles Field
- Oak Ridge
Fishing spots
Track Valmac 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 Valmac Lake Dam
Where does the data for Valmac 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 Valmac Lake Dam.