Thetford D.C. dam
Thetford D.C.
Thetford D.C. is a privately owned earth dam located in Beckham County, Oklahoma, specifically in the city of Sayre. Built in 1962, this dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation, with a maximum storage capacity of 266 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a hydraulic height of 28 feet, making it a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
Managed by the OWRB (Oklahoma Water Resources Board), Thetford D.C. sits on the TR-STARVATION CREEK and is regulated by the state of Oklahoma. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a very high risk due to its age and condition assessment. The structure includes a controlled spillway with a width of 2 feet and an outlet gate with a single valve. While the dam has not been inspected since November 2010, it is still in operation and plays a vital role in water management for irrigation purposes in the region.
Overall, Thetford D.C. represents a significant water infrastructure asset in Oklahoma, providing essential irrigation water storage for agricultural activities in Beckham County. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Thetford D.C. are crucial to ensure water availability for the community. With proper risk management measures in place, this dam can continue to support the local ecosystem and economy while mitigating potential hazards associated with its aging infrastructure.
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 Thetford D.C. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetwater Creek Near Sweetwater | 8 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Cheyenne | 1 cfs | → |
| North Fork Red River Near Carter | 10 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Ck Nr Kelton | 1 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Hammon | 4 cfs | → |
| Elm Fork Of North Fork Red River Nr Carl | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thetford D.C..
Track Thetford D.C. 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 Thetford D.C.
Where does the data for Thetford D.C. 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 Low 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 Thetford D.C..