Cougar Run Dam dam
Cougar Run Dam
Located in Travis, Texas, Cougar Run Dam stands as a crucial water resource infrastructure managed by the local government. Built in 1979, this Rockfill dam on the TR-Bull Creek serves a primary purpose that goes beyond flood control or water supply, marking it as a unique entity in the water management landscape. With a height of 58 feet and a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, Cougar Run Dam plays a vital role in regulating the flow of water in the region.
Despite its significance, the dam's condition assessment reveals a poor rating, indicating the need for immediate attention and maintenance. The inspection frequency of every two years underscores the ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway, with a width of 75 feet, is uncontrolled, posing potential risks in case of overflow. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Cougar Run Dam demands proactive risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community and environment from any potential hazards.
Cougar Run Dam's positioning within the Galveston District and its association with the TR-Bull Creek highlights its interconnectedness with the broader water resource management framework. As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve into the complexities of managing dams in Texas, Cougar Run Dam emerges as a focal point for discussions on infrastructure resilience and sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Cougar Run Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Ck At Loop 360 Nr Austin | 5 cfs | → |
| Shoal Ck At Silverway Dr | · | → |
| Waller Ck At Koenig Lane | 0 cfs | → |
| Little Walnut Ck At Georgian Dr | 1 cfs | → |
| Shoal Ck At W 12th St | 0 cfs | → |
| Boggy Ck At Manor Rd | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cougar Run Dam.
Boat launches
- North Capital Of Texas Highway 5015, Austin
- Greenshores Drive 6921, Travis County
- Redbud Trail, Austin
- Ann And Roy Butler Hike And Bike Trail, Austin
- Bullick Hollow Road 13601, Austin
- Mansfield Park Drive, Austin
Campgrounds
- Camp Mabry Military
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park
- Cypress Creek - Lake Travis
- Sandy Creek - Lake Travis
- Arkansas Bend - Lake Travis
- Mckinney Falls State Park
Fishing spots
Track Cougar Run 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 Cougar Run Dam
Where does the data for Cougar Run 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 Cougar Run Dam.