Helen Deputy Dam dam
Helen Deputy Dam
Helen Deputy Dam, located in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma, is a privately owned structure that serves as a crucial component in managing water resources in the region. Completed in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 470 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is classified as "Other," with a spillway type of "Controlled" and a low hazard potential rating.
Maintained by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Helen Deputy Dam plays a vital role in regulating the flow of the Tri. to Washita River and ensuring water availability for various uses in the area. While the dam is currently in good condition and poses a low risk, its very high risk assessment rating underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and management practices. With one outlet gate and a history of regular inspections, this dam exemplifies the critical role that infrastructure plays in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Helen Deputy Dam represents a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and risk assessment. As a key component of the region's water management system, this earth dam showcases the complexities of balancing water storage needs with safety considerations. With its controlled spillway and low hazard potential, the dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to safeguard water resources in Custer County, Oklahoma, while also highlighting the need for continued vigilance and proactive risk management measures in the face of changing climate 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 Helen Deputy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Washita River Near Clinton | 19 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Foss | 4 cfs | → |
| Cobb Creek Near Eakly | 9 cfs | → |
| Lake Creek Near Eakly | 1 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Hammon | 3 cfs | → |
| Willow Creek Near Albert | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helen Deputy Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Helen Deputy 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 Helen Deputy Dam
Where does the data for Helen Deputy 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 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 Helen Deputy Dam.