Elm Lake Dam dam
Elm Lake Dam
Elm Lake Dam, located in Fort Bend, Texas, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of serving as a fish and wildlife pond. Completed in 1960, this earth dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 6400 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 865 acre-feet, Elm Lake Dam provides essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite its modest size, Elm Lake Dam poses a high risk due to its condition assessment being not rated. The dam lacks a spillway and is equipped with only one outlet gate. With its proximity to the CH-Big Creek, Elm Lake Dam is crucial for maintaining water levels for fish and wildlife habitats, as well as for recreational activities. Climate and water resource enthusiasts may find Elm Lake Dam to be a focal point of interest, given its significance in supporting local ecosystems and water management efforts in the region.
As a state-owned structure, Elm Lake Dam falls under the regulatory oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While its hazard potential and condition assessment may raise concerns, efforts to mitigate risks and ensure proper maintenance are essential for the continued functionality and safety of the dam. With its historical significance and role in supporting wildlife and recreational activities, Elm Lake Dam remains a crucial component of the water resource infrastructure in Fort Bend, 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 Elm Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv Nr Rosharon | 8,500 cfs | → |
| Dry Ck Nr Rosenberg | 92 cfs | → |
| Big Ck Nr Needville | 147 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv At Richmond | 8,650 cfs | → |
| Chocolate Bayou Nr Alvin | 149 cfs | → |
| San Bernard Rv Nr Boling | 292 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elm Lake Dam.
Track Elm 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 Elm Lake Dam
Where does the data for Elm 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 Elm Lake Dam.