Carlos Vela Lake Dam dam
Carlos Vela Lake Dam
Carlos Vela Lake Dam, located in Zapata, Texas, was completed in 1977 and stands at a height of 22 feet, with a length of 1500 feet. This earth dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing a habitat for various aquatic species in the area. With a storage capacity of 704 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management.
Managed by a private owner, the Carlos Vela Lake Dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity. Despite its high hazard potential and risk assessment rating, the dam has not been rated for its condition. With no spillway and limited outlet gates, the dam is designed to withstand the hydraulic pressures of its location along the TR-BLANCAS CREEK without compromising the safety of surrounding communities.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Carlos Vela Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and environmental conservation. As a vital structure for fish and wildlife preservation in Texas, the dam's role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem underscores the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate patterns. With its rich history and significant impact on the local landscape, the Carlos Vela Lake Dam stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Carlos Vela 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 | 0 cfs | → |
| San Casimiro Ck Nr Freer | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carlos Vela Lake Dam.
Track Carlos Vela 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 Carlos Vela Lake Dam
Where does the data for Carlos Vela 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 Carlos Vela Lake Dam.