Scs-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 dam
Scs-Cherokee Sandy Site-17
SCS-Cherokee Sandy Site-17, also known as R. C. Longmire, is a state-regulated earth dam located in Garvin, Oklahoma, along the Cherokee Sandy Creek. Built in 1989 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves as a vital flood risk reduction structure in the area. With a height of 54 feet and a length of 5400 feet, it holds a maximum storage capacity of 26,300 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 745 acres, providing protection to a drainage area of 28.52 square miles.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, SCS-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 has a very high risk rating, underscoring the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 4 feet and a single valve outlet gate. The structure is state-regulated by the OWRB, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to ensure its safety and functionality. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring the risk factors associated with this dam is crucial for mitigating potential hazards and safeguarding the surrounding community.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is currently unknown, highlighting the need for updated emergency contacts, guidelines-compliant EAP preparation, and risk management measures. With a risk assessment rating of Very High (1), proactive measures to address any identified risks and maintain the integrity of SCS-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 are essential for ensuring the safety and resilience of this important flood control infrastructure in Oklahoma.
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-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Washita River Near Pauls Valley | 137 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek At Sulphur | 11 cfs | → |
| Canadian River At Purcell | 213 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Purcell | 36 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Tecumseh | 35 cfs | → |
| Pennington Creek Near Reagan | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scs-Cherokee Sandy Site-17.
Track Scs-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 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-Cherokee Sandy Site-17
Where does the data for Scs-Cherokee Sandy Site-17 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 Significant 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-Cherokee Sandy Site-17.