Scs-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2 dam
Scs-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2
SCS-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2 is a state-owned dam located in McCurtain, Oklahoma, designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Completed in 1961, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 948 feet, with a storage capacity of 395 acre-feet. The dam is situated on a tributary of Whitegrass Creek and is regulated by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
With a hazard potential classified as high and a condition assessment rated as fair, this dam poses a significant risk, especially given its location in a region susceptible to extreme weather events and climate variability. The risk assessment indicates a very high level of risk, requiring careful monitoring and potential risk management measures to mitigate any potential hazards. The dam features a controlled spillway and a single valve outlet gate, with a maximum discharge capacity of 1157 cubic feet per second, highlighting its importance for flood control in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the SCS-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2 presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure management and the intersection of water resource protection and climate resilience. The dam's location, design, and regulatory oversight provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in ensuring the safety and functionality of critical water infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing hydrological risks. This site serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive monitoring, maintenance, and risk assessment to safeguard our water resources and communities from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
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-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Glover River Near Glover | 4,390 cfs | → |
| Little River Blw Lukfata Creek | 4,150 cfs | → |
| Mountain Fork Near Eagletown | 522 cfs | → |
| Red River Near De Kalb | 1,920 cfs | → |
| Red River At Arthur City | 3,950 cfs | → |
| Cuthand Ck At Fm 910 Nr Cuthand | 330 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scs-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Pine Creek Cove - Pine Creek Lake
- Raymond Gary State Park
- Little River - Pine Creek Lake
- Lost Rapids - Pine Creek Lake
- Turkey Creek - Pine Creek Lake
- Virgil Point - Hugo Lake
Fishing spots
Track Scs-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2 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-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2
Where does the data for Scs-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-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 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-Whitegrass-Waterhole Creek Site-2.