Beacon Lake Dam dam
Beacon Lake Dam
Beacon Lake Dam, located in Erath, Texas, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 2002, this dam stands at a height of 50 feet and spans 1600 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 2500 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Paluxy River and is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
With a spillway width of 275 feet and a maximum discharge of 10,001 cubic feet per second, Beacon Lake Dam serves as a crucial structure for flood control and water resource management in the area. The dam has two uncontrolled outlet gates and has undergone modifications in 2012. Despite being rated as having a moderate risk level, the dam's hazard potential and condition assessment are currently not available.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Beacon Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam design, management, and risk assessment. Its role in providing recreational opportunities while also serving important functions for flood control and water storage highlights the complex interplay between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the dam's safety, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing our water resources in a changing climate.
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 Beacon Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paluxy Rv At Glen Rose | 6 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Glen Rose | 385 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Dennis | 287 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Ds Lk Granbury Nr Granbury | 359 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Hico | 8 cfs | → |
| Leon Rv Nr De Leon | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beacon Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Coates Road 2200, Granbury
- North Lipan Drive 2301-2303, Granbury
- East State Loop 426 621, Granbury
- Us 67 Somervell County
- Old Tin Top Road 1868-1998, Weatherford
- Monticello Drive 8517, Granbury
Campgrounds
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Stephenville City Park
- Thorp Spring - Lake Granbury
- Hunter Park - Lake Granbury
- Hico City Park
- Dublin City Park
Fishing spots
Track Beacon 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 Beacon Lake Dam
Where does the data for Beacon 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 Beacon Lake Dam.