Tom Ranch Dam dam
Tom Ranch Dam
Tom Ranch Dam, located in Lytle, Texas, along TR-Olmos Creek, stands as a testament to conservation efforts dating back to its completion in 1959 by the USDA NRCS. This private earth dam, with a height of 13 feet and a length of 860 feet, serves as a crucial water resource with a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, benefiting the local community and ecosystem. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition, not rated for any hazards, showcasing its structural resilience and the ongoing commitment to its maintenance.
Operated solely for purposes beyond flood control or hydroelectric power generation, Tom Ranch Dam's association with the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlights its significance in managing water resources sustainably. While lacking a spillway, the dam's design reflects a balance between nature and human intervention, embodying the principle of harmonious coexistence with the environment. The risk assessment, labeling it as high risk, underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and management to uphold its functionality and safety standards.
With the Galveston District overseeing its jurisdiction, Tom Ranch Dam represents a collaborative effort between private ownership and public agencies to uphold water resource management. Its historical significance, combined with its vital role in the local water supply, positions the dam as a symbol of resilience and stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns and growing water demands. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate sustainability, Tom Ranch Dam serves as a beacon of proactive conservation practices and the importance of preserving water ecosystems for future generations.
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 Tom Ranch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Atascosa Rv At Whitsett | 10 cfs | → |
| Atascosa Rv Nr Mccoy | 15 cfs | → |
| Choke Canyon Res Owc Nr Three Rivers | 36 cfs | → |
| San Antonio Rv Nr Falls City | 274 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Three Rivers | 59 cfs | → |
| San Miguel Ck Nr Tilden | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tom Ranch Dam.
Track Tom Ranch 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 Tom Ranch Dam
Where does the data for Tom Ranch 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 Tom Ranch Dam.