Sterling Hollow dam
Sterling Hollow
Sterling Hollow, also known as Sheeks, is a federal-owned earth dam located in Texas County, Missouri. It stands at a height of 50 feet and stretches 420 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 10 acre-feet. Situated on the Middle Indian Creek, this dam serves the primary purpose of water resource management in the region. Despite its critical role in regulating water flow and storage, Sterling Hollow has been rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition based on recent assessments.
Managed by the Forest Service under the USDA FS, Sterling Hollow poses a significant risk due to its structural deficiencies and outdated inspection records. With a history of modification and a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a pressing need for improved risk management measures and emergency action planning. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, addressing the maintenance and safety of dams like Sterling Hollow is crucial for ensuring the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the face of evolving hydrological 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 Sterling Hollow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks Fork Near Mountain View | 69 cfs | → |
| North Fork River Near Tecumseh | 469 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Alley Spring | 112 cfs | → |
| Bryant Creek Near Tecumseh | 316 cfs | → |
| Current River Above Akers | 315 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Eminence | 275 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sterling Hollow.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sycamore Loop Dispersed - Noblett Lake
- North Fork Recreation Area
- Blue Spring
- Rymer Spring
- Rippee Conserrvation Area - Mdc
- Bay Creek
Paddle runs
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- Hebron Access Site To Southern Forest Boundary In Sec 33, T24n, R11w
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
Track Sterling Hollow 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 Sterling Hollow
Where does the data for Sterling Hollow 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 Sterling Hollow.