Minnie Martin Lake Dam dam
Minnie Martin Lake Dam
Minnie Martin Lake Dam, located in Laredo, Texas, is a private-owned structure that serves multiple purposes, with a primary focus on water resource management. Built in 1979, this Earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and stretches a length of 870 feet, providing a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. Surrounded by the scenic TR-Chacon Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and managing the drainage area in Webb County, Texas.
Despite its important role in water resource management, Minnie Martin Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, with a high risk potential identified. The dam lacks a spillway and has limited outlet gates, which poses challenges in case of emergencies. The regulatory oversight by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality includes regular inspections, but there are no specific emergency action plans in place. Given its critical location and the risk factors identified, there is a need for enhanced risk management measures and updated emergency preparedness protocols to ensure the safety and stability of this vital water infrastructure in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the developments surrounding Minnie Martin Lake Dam, there is a call for increased attention to its condition assessment, hazard potential, and emergency response protocols. With the potential risks associated with the dam's design and limited infrastructure, stakeholders must work together to mitigate any potential threats and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of this essential water management structure in the heart of Webb County, Texas.
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 Minnie Martin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Laredo | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Zacate Ck At Laredo | 22 cfs | → |
| San Casimiro Ck Nr Freer | 275 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Minnie Martin Lake Dam.
Track Minnie Martin 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 Minnie Martin Lake Dam
Where does the data for Minnie Martin 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 Minnie Martin Lake Dam.