Robert Steffes dam
Robert Steffes
Located in Washita County, Oklahoma, the Robert Steffes dam stands as a testament to the state's commitment to water resource management. Built in 1984 by the NRCS, this private dam holds a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet and serves multiple purposes beyond just flood control. With a hydraulic height of 13.4 feet, it is regulated by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and is subject to state inspection, enforcement, and permitting.
Situated on the Red River, the Robert Steffes dam plays a crucial role in water conservation and regulation in the region. Its controlled spillway and undetermined hazard potential underscore the importance of careful monitoring and risk management. While its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," its risk assessment indicates a high level of risk, highlighting the need for continued attention and maintenance to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this vital water resource infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure across the country, the Robert Steffes dam serves as a key component in Oklahoma's efforts to adapt and mitigate potential risks. With a very high risk rating and a history of federal funding and construction oversight, this dam represents a critical piece of the state's water management strategy. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize and support the ongoing maintenance and regulation of structures like the Robert Steffes dam to ensure the sustainability of our water supply in the face of a changing climate.
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 Robert Steffes -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Washita River Near Foss | 3 cfs | → |
| North Fork Red River Near Carter | 4 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Hammon | 3 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Clinton | 13 cfs | → |
| Washita River Near Cheyenne | 0 cfs | → |
| North Fork Red River Blw Altus Dam Nr Lugert | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robert Steffes.
Campgrounds
Track Robert Steffes 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 Robert Steffes
Where does the data for Robert Steffes 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 Undetermined 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 Robert Steffes.