Pensacola dam
Pensacola
Pensacola, also known as Grand Lake, is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Mayes County, Oklahoma. Built in 1940, this multi-arch dam stands at an impressive height of 155 feet and spans a length of 6565 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 2,197,000 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 1,630,000 acre-feet, Pensacola plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction and hydroelectric power generation in the region.
The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 1,512 feet, ensures effective water management during times of high discharge. The associated structures include 21 Tainter (radial) outlet gates, enhancing the dam's operational efficiency. Despite its high hazard potential and very high risk assessment rating, Pensacola's condition assessment is currently not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts to ensure the safety and stability of this vital water resource infrastructure.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pensacola serves as a key landmark in the Tulsa District, contributing to the overall water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the importance of dams like Pensacola in supporting sustainable development and environmental conservation is essential for fostering a resilient and secure future for our communities.
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 Pensacola -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neosho River Near Langley | 13,100 cfs | → |
| Spavinaw Creek Near Eucha | 355 cfs | → |
| Big Cabin Creek Near Big Cabin | 252 cfs | → |
| Beaty Creek Near Jay | 22 cfs | → |
| Neosho River Near Chouteau | 655 cfs | → |
| Honey Creek Near South West City | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pensacola .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Cherokee State Park
- Spavinaw State Park
- Bernice State Park
- Snowdale State Park
- Honey Creek State Park
- Chouteau Bend - Fort Gibson Lake
Fishing spots
Track Pensacola 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 Pensacola
Where does the data for Pensacola 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 High 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 Pensacola .