Countess Ranch Dam dam
Countess Ranch Dam
Countess Ranch Dam, located in Cross, Texas, along the TR-SAN MIGUEL CREEK, was completed in 1961 by the USDA NRCS. This private-owned Earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional purposes including Fire Protection, Stock, Small Fish Pond, and Recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and spans 700 feet in length, making it a vital resource for the local ecosystem.
Managed by the Fort Worth District of the USACE, Countess Ranch Dam has a high risk assessment rating due to its condition being "Not Rated" and its hazard potential status being "Not Available." Despite lacking certain safety features such as a spillway, the dam is equipped with a single outlet gate. Although not regulated by the state, the dam undergoes regular inspections and meets state permitting and inspection requirements, ensuring its continued functionality for fish and wildlife conservation in the area.
With its picturesque location in McMullen County, Texas, Countess Ranch Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management for fish and wildlife preservation. As a hub for outdoor recreation and habitat conservation, this Earth dam serves as a valuable asset for the local community while also posing some challenges in terms of risk management and safety measures. Its historical significance and ecological importance make it a notable landmark in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Countess Ranch 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 | → |
| Atascosa Rv Nr Mccoy | 34 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Tilden | 111 cfs | → |
| Choke Canyon Res Owc Nr Three Rivers | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Countess Ranch Dam.
Track Countess Ranch 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 Countess Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Countess Ranch 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 Countess Ranch Dam.