Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a dam
Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a
SCS-Cow Creek Site-01a, also known as Cow Creek Site-1a, is a state-owned dam located in Waurika, Oklahoma. Constructed in 1981 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and has a length of 2100 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along TR Cow Creek. With a storage capacity of 2159 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed and regulated by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB), SCS-Cow Creek Site-01a is deemed to have a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam features a controlled spillway, one valve outlet gate, and has a maximum discharge capacity of 2390 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam continues to meet state inspection, permitting, and enforcement requirements, ensuring its operational readiness in case of emergencies.
With a very high risk rating and a designated risk management plan, SCS-Cow Creek Site-01a stands as a vital infrastructure piece in the region's water resource management efforts. Supported by state and federal agencies, this dam serves as a crucial tool in protecting the local community from potential flood threats and highlights the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance 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 Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita Rv Nr Charlie | 1,850 cfs | → |
| Red Rv Nr Terral | 667 cfs | → |
| East Cache Creek Near Walters | 36 cfs | → |
| Beaver Ck Nr Ringgold | 145 cfs | → |
| Mud Creek Near Courtney | 2 cfs | → |
| E Fk Little Wichita Rv Nr Henrietta | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a.
Track Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a 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-Cow Creek Site-01a
Where does the data for Scs-Cow Creek Site-01a 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-Cow Creek Site-01a.