Dearing Dam dam
Dearing Dam
Dearing Dam, located in Kerr County, Texas, stands as a vital Earth-type dam built by the USDA NRCS in 1968 along the TR-Bruins Creek. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 767 feet, this private-owned structure serves a primary purpose that goes beyond typical water storage. While the dam boasts a maximum storage capacity of 76 acre-feet, it is rated with a high risk assessment level of 2 due to unspecified reasons, making it an intriguing subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite lacking certain regulatory oversight and hazard potential information, Dearing Dam remains a remarkable engineering feat in the Galveston District. The dam's condition is currently not rated, and it is not subject to inspections or enforcement by state agencies. The absence of spillways and locks, as well as the limited information on its drainage area and discharge capabilities, adds to the enigma surrounding this structure. Given its non-traditional primary purpose and unique design elements, Dearing Dam presents an intriguing case study for those interested in exploring the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience strategies in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve deeper into the intricacies of Dearing Dam's design and operational history, questions arise about its emergency preparedness measures and risk management strategies. The lack of available data on emergency action plans, inundation maps, and condition assessment reports raises concerns about the dam's ability to withstand potential hazards or natural disasters. With its high-risk classification and the absence of key information, Dearing Dam serves as a compelling case study for researchers and policymakers seeking to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of evolving climate 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 Dearing Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Guadalupe Rv At Comfort | 63 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv Nr Center Point | 46 cfs | → |
| Medina Rv At Bandera | 10 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv At Kerrville | 46 cfs | → |
| Cibolo Ck Nr Boerne | 3 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv Abv Bear Ck At Kerrville | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dearing Dam.
Boat launches
- Pop's Place. Medina Lake.
- Paradise Canyon. Medina River Access.
- Nichols Landing. Guadalupe River Access
Track Dearing 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 Dearing Dam
Where does the data for Dearing 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 Dearing Dam.