Derr dam
Derr
Derr, located in Woodward, Oklahoma, is a private earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS. It stands at a height of 35 feet and has a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Main Creek and is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. While it has a low hazard potential, its risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management.
Despite being unregulated by the state and not requiring permitting or inspections, Derr plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Its primary purpose and specific uses are not defined, but its presence contributes to flood control and water storage in the area. With a spillway type of uncontrolled and a moderate risk assessment, stakeholders must remain vigilant in ensuring the safety and functionality of this key water infrastructure.
As a part of the Tulsa District, Derr operates independently from the USACE and is not subject to federal funding or oversight. While it has not been assessed for condition or emergency preparedness, its location and design suggest a strategic importance in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water availability in Woodward County. Water resource and climate enthusiasts would find Derr to be an intriguing case study in private dam management and its role in sustaining local ecosystems and communities.
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 Derr -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron River Near Waynoka | 54 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Near Seiling | 28 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River At Woodward | 17 cfs | → |
| Salt Fork Arkansas River Nr Alva | 37 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Buffalo | 37 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Blw Weavers Ck Nr Watonga | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Derr.
Track Derr 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 Derr
Where does the data for Derr 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.