Cowper Lake Dam dam
Cowper Lake Dam
Located in Red River, Texas, Cowper Lake Dam stands as a testament to water resource management and climate adaptation efforts. Built in 1975 by the USDA NRCS, this private-owned earth dam serves various purposes including fire protection, stock and small fish pond management, recreation, and more. With a height of 28 feet and a length of 658 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 145 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Situated on TR-Big Pine Creek, Cowper Lake Dam is under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While not state-regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections by the state, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Despite its hazard potential being labeled as 'not available', the risk assessment categorizes it as high (2), highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks. With no spillway, the dam relies on a single outlet gate for water release.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cowper Lake Dam serves as a prime example of how infrastructure can be leveraged for multiple benefits. From water storage to recreational opportunities, this earth dam embodies the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship, showcasing the intricate balance needed to sustainably manage our water resources in the face of changing climatic 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 Cowper Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Arthur City | 520 cfs | → |
| Glover River Near Glover | 61 cfs | → |
| Little River Blw Lukfata Creek | 148 cfs | → |
| Cuthand Ck At Fm 910 Nr Cuthand | 7 cfs | → |
| Red River Near De Kalb | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Unger | 165 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cowper Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Raymond Gary State Park
- Kiamichi Park - Hugo Lake
- Hugo Lake - Kiamichi State Park
- Virgil Point - Hugo Lake
- Pine Creek Cove - Pine Creek Lake
- Sanders Cove Campground
Fishing spots
Track Cowper Lake 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 Cowper Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cowper Lake 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 Cowper Lake Dam.