Pensacola East Spillway 2 dam
Pensacola East Spillway 2
Pensacola East Spillway 2, located in Mayes, Oklahoma, is a state-owned gravity dam constructed in 1940 for hydroelectric purposes on the Neosho River. With a structural height of 48 feet and a spillway width of 370 feet, this controlled spillway boasts tainter (radial) gates to manage water flow. The dam has a hazard potential rating of high and a very high risk assessment, emphasizing the importance of its maintenance and oversight.
Covering a drainage area of 10,192 acres, Pensacola East Spillway 2 has a storage capacity of 2,197,000 acre-feet, making it a crucial asset for flood risk reduction in the region. The dam's normal storage capacity is 1,630,000 acre-feet, and it covers a surface area of 46,500 acres. Although not state-regulated, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plays a significant role in overseeing its operations, inspections, and regulatory compliance.
With its strategic location in Salina, Oklahoma, Pensacola East Spillway 2 stands as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and energy generation in the area. The dam's history, design features, and risk profile make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of hydroelectric power and flood control.
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 East Spillway 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neosho River Near Langley | 22,100 cfs | → |
| Spavinaw Creek Near Eucha | 292 cfs | → |
| Big Cabin Creek Near Big Cabin | 98 cfs | → |
| Beaty Creek Near Jay | 28 cfs | → |
| Honey Creek Near South West City | 46 cfs | → |
| Neosho River Near Chouteau | 54,500 cfs | → |
About Pensacola East Spillway 2
Where does the data for Pensacola East Spillway 2 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 below 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.
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.