Mitchell Lake dam
Mitchell Lake
Mitchell Lake, located in Romia, Bryan County, Oklahoma, is a privately owned irrigation reservoir with a primary purpose of providing water for agricultural use. Built in 1971 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations.
With a controlled spillway and a low hazard potential, Mitchell Lake is considered to have a very high risk of failure, according to risk assessments. Despite not having a current condition rating, the dam remains in operation for irrigation purposes and has a valve outlet gate for water release. Its location along TR-LONG CR in the Fort Worth District adds to its significance in the region, serving as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Overall, Mitchell Lake plays a crucial role in water management and agriculture in Bryan County, Oklahoma. Its construction and operation by the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water demands. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find Mitchell Lake to be a fascinating example of infrastructure designed to meet the irrigation needs of the local community while also safeguarding against potential risks.
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 Mitchell Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blue River Near Blue | 104 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 409 Nr Honey Grove | 3 cfs | → |
| Red River At Denison Dam Nr Denison | 45 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 1396 Nr Honey Grove | · | → |
| Clear Boggy Creek Near Caney | 423 cfs | → |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Unger | 1,850 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mitchell Lake.
Track Mitchell Lake 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 Mitchell Lake
Where does the data for Mitchell Lake 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 Mitchell Lake.