Ryan Lake Dam dam
Ryan Lake Dam
Ryan Lake Dam, located in McMullen County, Texas, is a privately owned structure that serves as a crucial water supply source. Constructed in 1968, this Earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and stretches 1800 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-SAN MIGUEL CREEK and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Despite its age, Ryan Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and its hazard potential is labeled as "Not Available." However, the risk assessment indicates a high risk level, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam currently does not have a spillway and features no locks, with only one outlet gate in place for water release. The surrounding area covers 32 acres, providing a glimpse into the reservoir's capacity and impact on the local ecosystem.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ryan Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management of water supply infrastructure. With its private ownership and state regulation, the dam underscores the need for continued monitoring and risk assessment to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the sustainability of water resources. As climate change impacts water availability, understanding the condition and operational capacity of structures like Ryan Lake Dam becomes increasingly vital for resilience and adaptation strategies.
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 Ryan Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Miguel Ck Nr Tilden | 6 cfs | → |
| Frio Rv At Tilden | 0 cfs | → |
| Atascosa Rv At Whitsett | 194 cfs | → |
| Choke Canyon Res Owc Nr Three Rivers | 37 cfs | → |
| Atascosa Rv Nr Mccoy | 34 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Tilden | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ryan Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Fishing spots
Track Ryan Lake 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 Ryan Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ryan Lake 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 Not Available 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 Ryan Lake Dam.