Ternes dam
Ternes
Located in Custer County, Oklahoma, the Ternes dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and water resource management. Completed in 1967, this private-owned structure plays a crucial role in regulating Beaver Creek's flow, with a dam height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet. With a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, Ternes dam is closely monitored by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, ensuring its safety and functionality for the community of Arapaho.
The dam's primary purpose is listed as "Other", serving various functions beyond flood control or irrigation. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a controlled spillway, Ternes dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 1470 cubic feet per second. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam's inspection frequency of 5 years helps to ensure its continued reliability. The presence of a single valve outlet gate demonstrates the simplicity and effectiveness of this Earth dam's design, a testament to the engineering expertise of its time.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ternes dam represents a focal point for understanding the delicate balance between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As debates surrounding dam safety and environmental impact continue to unfold, the Ternes dam serves as a case study in responsible water management practices. With its location in the Tulsa District and state-regulated status, the dam's presence on Beaver Creek plays a vital role in the region's water supply and flood control efforts, highlighting the interconnected nature of water resources and climate resilience.
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 Ternes -- 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 | → |
| Washita River Near Hammon | 3 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Blw Weavers Ck Nr Watonga | 12 cfs | → |
| Cobb Creek Near Eakly | 9 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Near Seiling | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ternes.
Campgrounds
Track Ternes 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 Ternes
Where does the data for Ternes 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 Ternes.