Gator Lake Dam dam
Gator Lake Dam
Gator Lake Dam in Henderson, Texas, serves as a vital recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Owned privately, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and stretches 625 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene surface area of 35.7 acres for visitors to enjoy. With a storage capacity of 865 acre-feet, the dam on Alder Creek provides a picturesque setting for outdoor activities.
Managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Gator Lake Dam has a spillway width of 25 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam has undergone modifications in 2005 to enhance its effectiveness. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with measures in place to mitigate potential hazards. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Gator Lake Dam is a must-visit destination for those interested in water resources and climate preservation in the Fort Worth District.
Located just 11.5 miles from Athens, Gator Lake Dam is a key feature in the region, attracting visitors with its tranquil waters and beautiful surroundings. Despite its private ownership, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community. With inspections conducted regularly and emergency preparedness measures in place, Gator Lake Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water management for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy.
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 Gator Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neches Rv Nr Neches | 155 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Hwy 287 Nr Cayuga | 3,850 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv At Trinidad | 6,040 cfs | → |
| Trinity Rv Nr Oakwood | 3,250 cfs | → |
| Mud Ck Nr Jacksonville | 56 cfs | → |
| Cedar Ck Nr Kemp | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gator Lake Dam.
Track Gator 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 Gator Lake Dam
Where does the data for Gator 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 Gator Lake Dam.