Ray Pond Dam dam
Ray Pond Dam
Ray Pond Dam, located in Lamar County, Texas, serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the TR-Little Pine Creek. Constructed in 1984 by the USDA NRCS, this private-owned earth dam stands at 23 feet high and stretches 810 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet. Despite not having a spillway, the dam's primary purpose remains flood risk reduction, crucial for protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation.
While Ray Pond Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, it is considered to have a high risk potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan in place, which raises concerns for preparedness in case of emergencies. With no designated outlet gates, the dam's management and operation fall under private ownership, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and adherence to safety guidelines to ensure the community's protection.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ray Pond Dam stands as a testament to the intricate balance between human infrastructure and natural elements. Its role in flood risk reduction showcases the necessity of sustainable water management practices in safeguarding communities against potential hazards. As discussions around dam safety and risk management continue, Ray Pond Dam serves as a noteworthy case study for the intersection of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship.
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 Ray Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Arthur City | 548 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 409 Nr Honey Grove | 2 cfs | → |
| Bois D'Arc Ck At Fm 1396 Nr Honey Grove | · | → |
| N Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 1 cfs | → |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Unger | 179 cfs | → |
| S Sulphur Rv Nr Cooper | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ray Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Fm 2820 Lamar County
- County Road 34775 Lamar County
- 7th Street Delta County
- Choctaw County
- Honey Creek Interpretive Trail Hopkins County
Campgrounds
- Lamar Point - Pat Mayse Lake
- Pat Mayse West
- Pat Mayse West - Pat Mayse Lake
- Pat Mayse East
- Pat Mayse East - Pat Mayse Lake
- Sanders Cove - Pat Mayse Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Ray Pond 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 Ray Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ray Pond 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 Ray Pond Dam.