Dannels Ken dam
Dannels Ken
Dannels Ken, a privately owned dam located in McClain County, Oklahoma, stands as a crucial water resource structure along TR. Walnut Creek. Completed in 1960, this Earth-type dam with a stone core spans 190 feet in length and reaches a height of 30 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 50 acre-feet, Dannels Ken serves various purposes beyond flood control, making it a versatile asset in the region's water management.
Despite its age, Dannels Ken maintains a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition as of yet. The dam features a controlled spillway and a single valve outlet gate, with a maximum discharge capacity of 140 cubic feet per second. Managed by the OWRB and subject to state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight in Oklahoma, Dannels Ken has undergone regular inspections, with the last recorded inspection dating back to July 2005. The risk assessment for this structure has been classified as very high, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
As an essential component of the local water infrastructure, Dannels Ken plays a critical role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the area. With its strategic location along TR. Walnut Creek and its capacity to store and release water as needed, this Earth-type dam continues to serve the community effectively despite its age. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, structures like Dannels Ken will be vital in adapting to changing hydrological patterns and safeguarding the region's water supply for the future.
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 Dannels Ken -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Criner Creek Near Criner | 0 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Purcell | 53 cfs | → |
| Canadian River At Purcell | 190 cfs | → |
| Canadian River At Norman | 179 cfs | → |
| Washita River At Alex | 147 cfs | → |
| Little River Blw Lk Thunderbird Nr Norman | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dannels Ken.
Boat launches
- Little Gravel Road Little Axe
- Lake Draper Trail Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma River Trail - South Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma Greenway Trail Oklahoma City
- Oklahoma River Trail - North Oklahoma City
Track Dannels Ken 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 Dannels Ken
Where does the data for Dannels Ken 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 Dannels Ken.