Ikins Lake Dam No 1 Dam
Ikins Lake Dam No 1
Ikins Lake Dam No 1, located in Bandera, Texas, was completed in 1938 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. The dam is an earth structure with a core made of stone, standing at a height of 24 feet and stretching 465 feet in length. It holds a storage capacity of 420 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 197 acre-feet and a surface area of 25 acres. The dam is situated on Spires Creek and is regulated by the state with regular inspections conducted.
Despite being privately owned, Ikins Lake Dam No 1 is subject to state permitting and inspection requirements to ensure its safety and proper functioning. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 110 feet and two uncontrolled outlet gates. While the hazard potential and condition assessment of the dam are listed as "Not Available" and "Not Rated" respectively, a moderate risk level (3) is associated with the structure. Emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and risk management strategies are not specified in the available data.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Ikins Lake Dam No 1 intriguing due to its historical significance, recreational purpose, and the moderate risk level associated with it. The dam's location in Bandera, Texas, its design features, storage capacity, and regulatory oversight by the state provide an interesting case study for those interested in water infrastructure management and the intersection of human activity with natural water systems. The data available offers a glimpse into the complexities of dam regulation and the importance of ensuring the safety and maintenance of such structures in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Ikins Lake Dam No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Medina Rv At Bandera | 392 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv Nr Center Point | 585 cfs | → |
| Middle Verde Ck At Sh 173 Nr Bandera | 72 cfs | → |
| Hondo Ck Nr Tarpley | 641 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv At Kerrville | 15,900 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv Abv Bear Ck At Kerrville | 390 cfs | → |
About Ikins Lake Dam No 1
Where does the data for Ikins Lake Dam No 1 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 Not Available 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 below 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.
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.