Briarcliff Dam No 3 dam
Briarcliff Dam No 3
Briarcliff Dam No 3, located in Travis County, Texas, is a privately owned structure that plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. Built in 1966, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 14 acre-feet. The dam primarily serves the purpose of regulating water flow in Cat Creek, with a spillway width of 80 feet to manage excess water during periods of high discharge.
Despite being categorized as having a fair condition assessment, Briarcliff Dam No 3 poses a moderate risk level according to the data available. The dam has been inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in October 2017. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulates and inspects the dam to ensure compliance with state standards. While the dam has an uncontrolled outlet gate, the associated risk management measures and emergency action plans are not clearly documented, warranting further attention to ensure the safety and security of the structure and surrounding areas. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Briarcliff Dam No 3 presents an intriguing case study in the management and maintenance of essential infrastructure in the face of changing environmental 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 Briarcliff Dam No 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Barton Ck At Sh 71 Nr Oak Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Barton Ck At Lost Ck Blvd Nr Austin | 9 cfs | → |
| Bull Ck At Loop 360 Nr Austin | 7 cfs | → |
| Slaughter Ck At Fm 1826 Nr Austin | · | → |
| Williamson Ck At Oak Hill | · | → |
| Lake Ck At Lake Ck Pkwy Nr Austin | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Briarcliff Dam No 3.
Boat launches
- Pace Bend. Tatum Cove. Lake Travis
- Gloster Bend. Lake Travis
- Bar K Ranch Road 6701, Lago Vista
- Ridge Harbor Drive Burnet County
- Low Water Crossing Road, Austin
- Mansfield Park Drive, Austin
Campgrounds
- Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis
- Arkansas Bend - Lake Travis
- Muleshoe Bend - Lake Travis
- Muleshoe Bend Dispersed Camping
- Comanche Camping Area
- Turkey Bend - Lake Travis
Track Briarcliff Dam No 3 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 Briarcliff Dam No 3
Where does the data for Briarcliff Dam No 3 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 Briarcliff Dam No 3.