Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4 dam
Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 4 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Hays, Texas, along the Purgatory Creek. Built in 1985 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 100 feet and spans 977 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 8,421 acre-feet to mitigate potential flooding in the area. The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational effectiveness.
With a drainage area of 20.1 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 60,214 cubic feet per second, Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 4 plays a crucial role in managing water flow during periods of heavy rainfall and potential flooding events. The dam's spillway, with a width of 369 feet, helps to safely release excess water downstream. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is reported to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2018, highlighting its importance in protecting the surrounding community and environment from the impacts of flooding.
Managed by local government authorities in San Marcos, this flood risk reduction structure not only serves as a key component of water resource management but also contributes to climate resilience efforts in the region. Its strategic location and efficient design make Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 4 a crucial asset for safeguarding the area against potential flood hazards, showcasing the importance of infrastructure in addressing the challenges posed by changing weather patterns and extreme climate events.
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 Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Marcos Rv At San Marcos | 84 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv At San Marcos | 1 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv At Wimberley | 3 cfs | → |
| Guadalupe Rv At Sattler | 56 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv At Halifax Rch Nr Kyle | 3 cfs | → |
| Blanco Rv Nr Kyle | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4.
Boat launches
- Interstate 35 Frontage Road 2396, San Marcos
- Pecan Park Drive 442, San Marcos
- Skyline Boat Ramp
- Jacob's Creek Park. North Ramp. Canyon Lake.
- Jacob's Creek Park. Canyon Lake.
- Turkey Cove. Canyon Lake.
Campgrounds
- Leisure Resort On The San Marco River
- North Park - Canyon Lake
- Camp Huaco Springs
- Canyon Lake Military - Randolph Afb
- Canyon - Canyon Lake
- Potters Creek - Canyon Lake
Fishing spots
Track Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4 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 Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4
Where does the data for Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4 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 Upper San Marcos River Ws Scs Site 4.