Big Dam Tank dam
Big Dam Tank
Big Dam Tank is a privately owned earth dam located in Oldham, Texas, built in 1965 on TR-Las Arches Creek. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 1000 feet, it has a storage capacity of 144 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6 acres. Despite its non-existent spillway, the dam serves a primary purpose of 'Other' and is classified as a high-risk structure with a hazard potential that is not currently rated.
Although the dam's condition assessment is listed as 'Not Rated', it undergoes regular state inspections and permitting, ensuring that it meets safety standards. The area is represented by Congressman Mac Thornberry and falls under the jurisdiction of the Albuquerque District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. With no federal agency ownership or funding, the dam stands as a crucial water resource in the region, providing essential water storage for agricultural and environmental needs.
Water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates can appreciate the significance of Big Dam Tank in Texas, both for its historical importance and its vital role in water management. As a privately owned structure with a high-risk designation, efforts to ensure its safety and maintenance are crucial to safeguarding the surrounding community and ecosystem. The dam's presence on TR-Las Arches Creek highlights the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources, underscoring the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity.
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 Big Dam Tank -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cramer Ck At Us Hwy 54 Nr Dalhart | · | → |
| Revuelto Creek Near Logan | 19 cfs | → |
| Canadian River At Logan | 3 cfs | → |
| Ute Creek Near Logan | · | → |
| Tierra Blanca Ck Abv Buffalo Lk Nr Umbarger | · | → |
| Canadian Rv Nr Amarillo | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Dam Tank.
Track Big Dam Tank 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 Big Dam Tank
Where does the data for Big Dam Tank 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 Big Dam Tank.