Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam dam
Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam
Plum Creek WS SCS Site 17 Dam, located in Niederwald, Texas, on Cowpen Creek, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and stretches for 1860 feet, providing storage capacity of 5312 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 8.56 square miles, the dam plays a significant role in managing water flow and preventing flooding in the region.
Maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the dam has undergone inspections and received a fair condition assessment as of August 2016. While the hazard potential is not available, the risk assessment is moderate, indicating a level 3 risk. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 295 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 5646 cubic feet per second. Overall, Plum Creek WS SCS Site 17 Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in Caldwell County, Texas.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering and functionality of Plum Creek WS SCS Site 17 Dam, as it exemplifies sustainable water management practices. The dam's design, construction, and operation reflect a commitment to reducing flood risks and protecting the surrounding community. With a focus on safety and regulatory compliance, this dam on Cowpen Creek is a key component of the region's water infrastructure, ensuring the efficient management of water resources in Caldwell County.
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 Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Plum Ck At Lockhart | 12 cfs | → |
| Onion Ck At Twin Creeks Rd Nr Manchaca | 2 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv Nr Kyle | · | → |
| Onion Ck At Us Hwy 183 | 2 cfs | → |
| Williamson Ck At Jimmy Clay Rd | 1 cfs | → |
| Slaughter Ck At Fm 2304 Nr Austin | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam.
Boat launches
- Interstate 35 Frontage Road 2396, San Marcos
- Pecan Park Drive 442, San Marcos
- Farm To Market Road 973 2801-2899, Austin
- Texas 130 Toll, Austin
- Festival Beach Road, Austin
- South Pleasant Valley Road 1-79, Austin
Campgrounds
- Lockhart State Park
- Mckinney Falls State Park
- Leisure Resort On The San Marco River
- Camp Mabry Military
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park
- Bastrop State Park
Fishing spots
Track Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam 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 Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam
Where does the data for Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam 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 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 Plum Creek Ws Scs Site 17 Dam.