Upper George Ross Lake Dam dam
Upper George Ross Lake Dam
Upper George Ross Lake Dam, located in Bastrop, Texas, is a private-owned structure that stands as a key component in managing water resources in the area. The dam, built on Spicer Creek, is primarily used for purposes other than flood control or hydropower generation. Standing at a height of 16 feet and a length of 1030 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 48 acre-feet, serving the surrounding community with essential water resources.
Despite not being state-regulated, Upper George Ross Lake Dam undergoes regular state inspection and permitting to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and one outlet gate, allowing for the controlled release of excess water. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is considered to have a manageable level of risk, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to uphold its functionality and safety standards.
Although the dam's original designer is unknown, its construction and operation have been overseen by private entities. The dam's key features and specifications, along with its location and purpose, make it a significant asset in the management of water resources and climate-related challenges in the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring structures like Upper George Ross Lake Dam are crucial for ensuring sustainable water management practices and mitigating potential risks associated with extreme weather events.
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 Upper George Ross Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rv At Bastrop | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv At Smithville | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Middle Yegua Ck Nr Dime Box | 13 cfs | → |
| Walnut Ck At Webberville Rd | 27 cfs | → |
| Onion Ck At Us Hwy 183 | 26 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv At Austin | 160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper George Ross Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Carter Street 1900, Bastrop
- Riverside Drive 375, Bastrop
- Farm To Market 969 1115, Bastrop
- Hyatt Lost Pines Road 575, Cedar Creek
- Little Webberville Park
Campgrounds
- North Shore Park - Lake Bastrop
- South Shore Park - Lake Bastrop
- Bastrop State Park
- Buescher State Park
- Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park
- Bluff Creek Ranch
Track Upper George Ross 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 Upper George Ross Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper George Ross 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 Upper George Ross Lake Dam.