Umbarger Dam dam
Umbarger Dam
Umbarger Dam, located in Canyon, Texas, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service with a primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Built in 1938 and modified in 1993 and 2009, this Earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans 947 feet in length. It has a maximum storage capacity of 78,920 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 970 acres, supporting Tierra Blanca Creek with a drainage area of 755 square miles.
Despite its historical significance, Umbarger Dam has been rated with a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment as of June 2017. With a moderate risk rating, the dam is under the regulatory oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular state inspections, permitting, and enforcement. The dam also features an uncontrolled spillway and slide gates for outlet control. Its location within Randall County, Texas, presents both challenges and opportunities in managing water resources and climate impacts in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Umbarger Dam to be a focal point in the conservation efforts of the Tierra Blanca Creek watershed. With its rich history, engineering significance, and environmental impact, the dam serves as a critical piece of infrastructure in supporting wildlife habitats and managing water resources in the area. As discussions around dam safety and risk management continue, Umbarger Dam stands as a reminder of the importance of balancing human needs with ecological preservation in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands.
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 Umbarger Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tierra Blanca Ck Abv Buffalo Lk Nr Umbarger | · | → |
| Pr Dog Twn Fk Red Rv Nr Wayside | 1 cfs | → |
| Canadian Rv Nr Amarillo | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Umbarger Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Umbarger 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 Umbarger Dam
Where does the data for Umbarger 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 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 Umbarger Dam.