Cooper Dam dam
Cooper Dam
Cooper Dam, also known as Jim Chapman Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Texas, specifically in Delta County near the city of Talco. Completed in 1991, the dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply. It is an earth dam with a height of 79 feet and a length of 28,072 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 797,300 acre-feet of water. The dam is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks for downstream communities along the Sulphur River.
Although Cooper Dam reduces the risk of flooding to downstream areas, the dam does not completely eliminate the potential for flooding events. The US Army Corps of Engineers has conducted a risk assessment and classified the risk associated with the dam as very low, primarily due to the low probability of dam failure and the limited population at risk downstream. To further enhance public safety, the Corps regularly conducts emergency exercises, updates the Emergency Action Plan, and implements risk reduction measures such as stockpiling materials for erosion mitigation. The dam is also equipped with advanced monitoring systems to evaluate changing conditions and ensure the integrity of the structure.
In the unlikely event of a dam breach, the city of Shreveport, Louisiana would be the most impacted area, potentially facing catastrophic flooding and widespread economic impacts. Despite the potential risks, the US Army Corps of Engineers is dedicated to maintaining the dam's safety and implementing proactive measures to protect downstream communities. With well-practiced emergency action plans and ongoing collaboration between local emergency managers and the USACE, Cooper Dam remains a vital asset for managing water resources and climate-related risks in the 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 Cooper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| S Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 3 cfs | → |
| N Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 11 cfs | → |
| Middle Sulphur Rv At Commerce | 102 cfs | → |
| S Sulphur At Commerce | 0 cfs | → |
| Cowleech Fk Sabine Rv At Greenville | 6 cfs | → |
| White Oak Ck Nr Talco | 201 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cooper Dam.
Track Cooper 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 Cooper Dam
Where does the data for Cooper 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 High 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 Cooper Dam.