Lightfoot Dam dam
Lightfoot Dam
Lightfoot Dam, located in Smith County, Texas, was completed in 1975 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. This private earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a length of 387 feet, with a storage capacity of 48 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Bell Branch river and is under the jurisdiction of the state with permitting and inspection requirements in place.
Despite its primary purpose being classified as 'Other', Lightfoot Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area. With a high hazard potential rating of 2 and a risk assessment indicating a high level of risk, the dam requires regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam lacks a spillway and has no associated locks, emphasizing the need for proper management and emergency preparedness.
Managed by a private owner, Lightfoot Dam highlights the importance of sustainable water resource practices and climate resilience. As a key structure in the region, its significance extends beyond its immediate functions, symbolizing the intricate balance between human development and environmental conservation. The presence of the dam underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard both the local community and the surrounding ecosystem from 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 Lightfoot Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mud Ck Nr Jacksonville | 290 cfs | → |
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 143 cfs | → |
| Rabbit Ck At Kilgore | 20 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Hawkins | 259 cfs | → |
| Sabine Rv Nr Gladewater | 380 cfs | → |
| E Fk Angelina Rv Nr Cushing | 132 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lightfoot Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road 3504, Bullard
- Farm-To-Market Road 1892, Frankston
- Farm To Market 315, Chandler
- South Shore Drive 3301-3371, Jacksonville
- Fm 14 Smith County
- South Tyler Street 901, Gladewater
Campgrounds
- City Park Camp - Overton
- Lake Jacksonville Campground
- Tyler State Park
- Rusk - Palestine Park
- Lake Hawkins County Rv Park
Fishing spots
Track Lightfoot 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 Lightfoot Dam
Where does the data for Lightfoot 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 Lightfoot Dam.