Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31 dam
Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31
SCS-Sandy Creek Site-31, located in Pontotoc, Oklahoma, is a state-regulated earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Built in 1959, this dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans a length of 1050 feet. It has a storage capacity of 270 acre-feet and a controlled spillway width of 1 foot, with a maximum discharge of 930 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition.
This dam on Spring Brook Creek is under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although it has not been inspected since 1980, it is deemed to have a very high risk assessment ranking, indicating the importance of monitoring and maintaining its structural integrity. With a single valve outlet gate, this dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the area, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and potential flooding events.
Under the oversight of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, SCS-Sandy Creek Site-31 plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding community from flood risks. The dam's strategic location in Ada, Oklahoma, and its design features contribute to its effectiveness in storing and controlling water flow. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and supporting the maintenance and upkeep of critical infrastructure like this dam is essential for ensuring the resilience of our communities in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Sasakwa | 57 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Sulphur | 11 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Tecumseh | 35 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Pauls Valley | 137 cfs | → |
| Blue River Near Connerville | 114 cfs | → |
| Pennington Creek Near Reagan | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31.
Track Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31 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 Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31
Where does the data for Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31 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 Scs-Sandy Creek Site-31.