Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam dam
Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam
Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 1 Dam, located in McLennan County, Texas, is a vital structure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the South Fork Cow Bayou. Completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans a length of 1625 feet, providing essential flood risk reduction for the local community. With a storage capacity of 901 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the area from potential water-related hazards.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 1 Dam is designed to serve multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock watering, and flood risk reduction. Despite being rated as having a high risk level, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, underscoring the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the surrounding area. While the dam does not have a spillway, its key role in managing water flow and storage highlights its significance in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the state of Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 1 Dam, its impact on the local ecosystem and surrounding communities cannot be overstated. With a drainage area of 1.51 square miles and a surface area of 24.5 acres, the dam's presence underscores the intricate balance between human development and natural water systems. By understanding and supporting the ongoing maintenance and regulatory measures for this critical infrastructure, stakeholders can contribute to sustainable water management practices and enhance resilience in the face of changing climate patterns and water-related challenges.
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 Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Bosque Rv Nr Mcgregor | 45 cfs | → |
| Hog Ck Nr Crawford | 14 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv At Waco | 167 cfs | → |
| Leon Rv Nr Belton | 386 cfs | → |
| Nolan Ck At S Penelope | 102 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Valley Mills | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam.
Boat launches
- White Flint Park Road 11298, Moody
- Leona Park Rd, Texas
- Moffat Road, Temple
- Owl Creek Park Road 6800, Gatesville
- Cedar Ridge Park, Temple
- Koehne Park Drive, Waco
Campgrounds
- Owl Creek - Belton Lake
- Live Oak Ridge Park - Belton Lake
- Airport Park
- Belton Lake Military - Fort Hood
- Westcliff - Belton Lake
- Faunt Leroy City Park
Fishing spots
Track Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 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 Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam
Where does the data for Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 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 Cow Bayou Ws Scs Site 1 Dam.