Z Ranch Lake Dam dam
Z Ranch Lake Dam
Z Ranch Lake Dam, located in McCulloch County, Texas, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess. Completed in 1979, this private-owned Earth dam serves a primary purpose that goes beyond traditional water resource management. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 710 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 226 acre-feet, providing vital support for the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Z Ranch Lake Dam remains a vital structure, meeting state inspection and permitting requirements. Its Buttress core type and Unlisted/Unknown foundation showcase the innovative design elements incorporated into its construction. The dam's high hazard potential, coupled with a lack of condition assessment, make it a focal point for ongoing risk assessment and management measures.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Z Ranch Lake Dam serves as a valuable asset in maintaining water security. With a Risk Assessment rating of High (2), stakeholders must remain vigilant in ensuring the dam's structural integrity and emergency preparedness protocols to mitigate potential risks. The dam's location on TR-Cedar Creek, under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District, highlights its vital role in the region's water management system.
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 Z Ranch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brady Ck At Brady | 1 cfs | → |
| San Saba Rv Nr Brady | 3 cfs | → |
| Colorado Rv Nr Stacy | 11 cfs | → |
| San Saba Rv At San Saba | 108 cfs | → |
| Pecan Bayou Nr Mullin | 2 cfs | → |
| Hords Ck Nr Coleman | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Z Ranch Lake Dam.
Track Z Ranch 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 Z Ranch Lake Dam
Where does the data for Z Ranch 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 Z Ranch Lake Dam.