Potter Lake Dam dam
Potter Lake Dam
Potter Lake Dam, located in Smith County, Texas, stands as a private earth dam with a height of 17 feet and a length of 825 feet. Completed in 1970, this structure serves a primary purpose that goes beyond traditional water resource management, making it a unique feature in the region. The dam's hydraulic height matches its structural height, indicating a significant capacity for water storage, with a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet.
Situated along the TR-Auburn Creek, Potter Lake Dam's design incorporates a buttress core and is owned and inspected by private entities. While its hazard potential and condition assessment are not available, the dam presents a high risk level due to its operational characteristics. With no spillway and limited associated structures, the dam's role in the community's water resource management and climate resilience efforts is crucial. Despite lacking specific data on its maintenance and emergency preparedness, Potter Lake Dam remains a significant feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the Fort Worth District.
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 Potter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit Ck At Kilgore | 8 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Gladewater | 267 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 179 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Ck Nr Big Sandy | 38 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Abv Longview | 298 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Bl Longview | 356 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Potter Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Tyler Street 901, Gladewater
- Fm 14 Smith County
- County Road 3440 2448, Wood County
- Estes Parkway 5001, Lakeport
- Farm To Market 315, Chandler
- Tx 149 Easton
Campgrounds
- City Park Camp - Overton
- Tyler State Park
- Lake Hawkins County Rv Park
- Fish Hawke Point
- Old Camp
- Camp Gilmont
Fishing spots
Track Potter 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 Potter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Potter 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 Potter Lake Dam.