Cummings Dam dam
Cummings Dam
Cummings Dam, located in Hays, Texas, on the San Marcos River, was completed in 1905 for the primary purpose of irrigation. This private dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 250 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet. With a surface area of 50 acres, it serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, especially for agricultural activities.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 250 feet and one outlet gate. While it is not regulated by the state, it undergoes regular inspections since its last assessment in 2008. The risk assessment for Cummings Dam is moderate, indicating a level 3 hazard potential. Despite its age, the dam's condition remains unrated, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of the downstream community.
With the Galveston District as its overseeing authority, Cummings Dam plays a crucial role in water management and irrigation in the region. Its historical significance and impact on the local ecosystem make it an essential structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and study as they continue to advocate for sustainable water practices in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Cummings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blanco Rv At San Marcos | 1 cfs | → |
| San Marcos Rv At San Marcos | 91 cfs | → |
| San Marcos Rv Nr Martindale | 160 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv Nr Kyle | · | → |
| Blanco Rv At Halifax Rch Nr Kyle | 4 cfs | → |
| Plum Ck At Lockhart | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cummings Dam.
Boat launches
- Pecan Park Drive 442, San Marcos
- Interstate 35 Frontage Road 2396, San Marcos
- State Park Road 17065-17099, Kingsbury
- Saint Joseph Street 839, Maxwell
- Plant Road, Kingsbury
- Stairtown Road 515, Luling
Campgrounds
- Leisure Resort On The San Marco River
- Lockhart State Park
- Camp Huaco Springs
- North Park - Canyon Lake
- Canyon Lake Military - Randolph Afb
- Canyon - Canyon Lake
Fishing spots
Track Cummings 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 Cummings Dam
Where does the data for Cummings 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 Cummings Dam.