Chimney Rock Pump Storage dam
Chimney Rock Pump Storage
Chimney Rock Pump Storage, also known as Lake W. R. Holway, is a hydroelectric facility located in Salina, Oklahoma. Managed by the state, this pump storage plant was designed by the BENHAM-HOLWAY COMPANY and completed in 1968. With a dam height of 185 feet and a hydraulic height of 195 feet, Chimney Rock Pump Storage serves the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, utilizing an earth and rockfill dam structure with a storage capacity of 48,225 acre-feet.
Situated on Salina Creek and the Neosho River in Mayes County, Chimney Rock Pump Storage has a surface area of 742 acres and a drainage area of 1.9 square miles. This facility, regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, operates at a high hazard potential level and is inspected annually. Although the condition assessment is not available, the emergency action plan was last revised in April 2021, ensuring that necessary risk management measures are in place for this critical infrastructure. As a noteworthy feature in Oklahoma's water resource and climate landscape, Chimney Rock Pump Storage showcases the state's commitment to sustainable energy production and water management.
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 Chimney Rock Pump Storage -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neosho River Near Chouteau | 985 cfs | → |
| Spavinaw Creek Near Eucha | 614 cfs | → |
| Neosho River Near Langley | 12,800 cfs | → |
| Beaty Creek Near Jay | 105 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Chewey | 966 cfs | → |
| Big Cabin Creek Near Big Cabin | 190 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chimney Rock Pump Storage .
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Snowdale State Park
- Spavinaw State Park
- Chouteau Bend - Fort Gibson Lake
- Cherokee State Park
- Flat Rock Creek - Fort Gibson Lake
- Rocky Point - Fort Gibson Lake
Fishing spots
Track Chimney Rock Pump Storage 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 Chimney Rock Pump Storage
Where does the data for Chimney Rock Pump Storage 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 Chimney Rock Pump Storage .