North Apache Ranch Lake Dam dam
North Apache Ranch Lake Dam
North Apache Ranch Lake Dam, located in Webb County, Texas, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and resource management. Built in 1974, this private Earth dam serves a crucial purpose, holding back the waters of the TR-RIO GRANDE to provide irrigation and recreational opportunities for the surrounding area. With a height of 22 feet and a length of 1300 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 234 acre-feet, contributing to water security in the region.
Despite its age, North Apache Ranch Lake Dam remains a vital infrastructure piece, with a normal storage capacity of 140 acre-feet and a surface area of 20 acres. Though lacking a spillway, the dam's design and construction have stood the test of time, ensuring the safety of its surroundings. However, with a high risk assessment rating of 2, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the North Apache Ranch Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. With no state regulation but state permitting and inspection in place, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource utilization and environmental stewardship. As we continue to grapple with the impacts of climate change on water availability, understanding and safeguarding dams like North Apache Ranch Lake Dam is crucial for sustainable water management in the future.
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 North Apache Ranch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Zacate Ck At Laredo | 0 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Asherton | 5 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Laredo | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv At Cotulla | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Apache Ranch Lake Dam.
Track North Apache Ranch 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 North Apache Ranch Lake Dam
Where does the data for North Apache Ranch 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 North Apache Ranch Lake Dam.