Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 dam
Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20
The SCS-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 in Noble, Oklahoma, is a state-regulated earth dam designed by USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1963, this dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a storage capacity of 466 acre-feet. It spans a length of 1150 feet and has a controlled spillway with a width of 1 foot. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is rated very high, indicating the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring.
Located in the Tulsa District with a river/stream connection to TR-Black Bear Creek, this dam is inspected every five years with the last assessment conducted in 1999. Although its condition is currently not rated, the presence of a valve outlet gate suggests some level of operational control. With the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status yet to be determined, stakeholders in the area, including the State Regulatory Agency OWRB, must prioritize proactive measures to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital flood control structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the SCS-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and risk management. As the dam continues to serve its essential function of flood risk reduction in the region, ongoing assessments and potential updates to emergency preparedness protocols will be crucial in safeguarding the surrounding community and environment. With a rich history dating back to the 1960s, this earth dam stands as a testament to the intricate balance between water resource management, public safety, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Fork Arkansas River At Tonkawa | 73 cfs | → |
| Skeleton Creek Near Lovell | 17 cfs | → |
| Skeleton Creek At Enid | 2 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Guthrie | 372 cfs | → |
| Chikaskia River Near Blackwell | 193 cfs | → |
| Black Bear Creek At Pawnee | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 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 Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20
Where does the data for Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20 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 Low 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 Scs-Upper Black Bear Creek Site-20.