Swain J.L. dam
Swain J.L.
Swain J.L. is a privately-owned dam located in Logan County, Oklahoma, near the city of Guthrie. Built in 1965, this Earth-type dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam spans 480 feet in length and has a structural height of 20 feet, creating a surface area of 11 acres for recreational activities. Despite its low hazard potential, Swain J.L. is classified as having a very high risk due to its location on the TR-Cimarron River.
Managed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB), Swain J.L. is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam features a controlled spillway and a single valve outlet gate, with a spillway width of 1 foot. Although it has not been rated for its condition assessment, the dam undergoes inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Additionally, Swain J.L. falls under the jurisdiction of the Tulsa District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, further emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and risk management measures.
With a congressman representation by Frank D. Lucas (R) and a close proximity of 10 miles to the Cimarron River, Swain J.L. provides a vital recreational resource for the community while also posing potential risks that require diligent monitoring and emergency preparedness. As an integral part of the water resource infrastructure in Oklahoma, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water management for recreation and the need for proactive risk mitigation in the face of changing climate 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 Swain J.L. -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Creek Near Seward | 781 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Guthrie | 372 cfs | → |
| Skeleton Creek Near Lovell | 17 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Near Dover | 52 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Near Yukon | 88 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River At Britton Rd At Okc | 346 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swain J.L..
Track Swain J.L. 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 Swain J.L.
Where does the data for Swain J.L. 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 Swain J.L..