Forest Lake Dam dam
Forest Lake Dam
Forest Lake Dam, located in Gregg County, Texas, is a private-owned structure built in 1970 for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 37 feet, this earth dam on Johnson Branch is designed with a buttress core type. With a storage capacity of 750 acre-feet and a maximum discharge capacity that is not specified, the dam serves primarily for recreation and has no spillway. Despite its hazard potential being unavailable and condition not rated, the dam presents a high risk level according to the data available.
The dam, managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), undergoes state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The structure, with no associated buildings, is not owned or funded by any federal agency and has no federal involvement in its design, construction, operation, or other aspects. While the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are not provided, it is essential to monitor and assess the dam's condition to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, environment, and water resources.
Forest Lake Dam, nestled within the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, serves as a vital recreational resource in the area. With its picturesque location and significant storage capacity, the dam plays a crucial role in enhancing the local landscape and providing opportunities for outdoor activities. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding the structural integrity and risk assessment of dams like Forest Lake Dam becomes increasingly important for ensuring sustainable water management practices and safeguarding against potential hazards.
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 Forest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Cypress Ck Nr Ore City | 110 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Abv Longview | 320 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Gladewater | 364 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Bl Longview | 368 cfs | → |
| Rabbit Ck At Kilgore | 4 cfs | → |
| Big Cypress Ck Nr Jefferson | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- South Tyler Street 901, Gladewater
- Estes Parkway 5001, Lakeport
- Pine Hill Park
- Pops Landing Road Marion County
- Marion County
- Cedar Springs Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Old Camp
- Camp Mabey
- Camp Gilmont
- Brushy Creek - Lake Of The Pines
- Cedar Springs - Lake Of The Pines
- Alley Creek - Lake Of The Pines
Fishing spots
Track Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam.