Helmcamp Lake dam
Helmcamp Lake
Helmcamp Lake, located in Sheridan, Texas, is a privately owned earth dam structure built in 1990 by the USDA NRCS for grade stabilization purposes. With a height of 17 feet and a length of 728 feet, the lake has a storage capacity of 99 acre-feet and serves multiple functions including fire protection, stock watering, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. The dam is supported by a stone core and sits on a soil foundation, with a spillway width of 168 feet for uncontrolled release of excess water.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Helmcamp Lake has not been assessed for condition or emergency action planning. The lake is primarily regulated and funded by the USDA NRCS and falls under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District. The surrounding area is drained by Tr- Pin Oak Creek, with a drainage area of 0.33 square miles. Overall, Helmcamp Lake serves as a valuable resource for water conservation, environmental enhancement, and recreational activities in the Colorado County region.
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 Helmcamp Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Navidad Rv Nr Hallettsville | 7 cfs | → |
| Lavaca Rv At Hallettsville | 22 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv At Columbus | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Redgate Ck Nr Columbus | 1 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv Abv La Grange | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Sandy Ck Nr Ganado | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helmcamp Lake.
Boat launches
- Thousand Trails Lane 1062, Columbus
- Highway 90 Alternate 4882, Eagle Lake
- West Highway 71 Business 737-971, La Grange
- Park Prairie Road 1298, Fayetteville
- Highway 159 4705, Fayetteville
Track Helmcamp Lake 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 Helmcamp Lake
Where does the data for Helmcamp Lake 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 Low 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 Helmcamp Lake.