Ridgeway Dam dam
Ridgeway Dam
Ridgeway Dam, located in Kaufman, Texas, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1979. This earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 526 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a normal storage of 25 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and as a small fish pond, highlighting its importance in providing water resources for various needs in the area.
The dam is situated on TR-BUFFALO CREEK and falls under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District. Despite its high hazard potential and risk assessment rating of 'High (2)', the dam's condition has not been officially rated. With no spillway and limited inspection and regulatory oversight, there are concerns about the safety and maintenance of this vital water storage structure. It is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor the management and upkeep of Ridgeway Dam to ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations for the surrounding community and environment.
While Ridgeway Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, its lack of proper regulatory agency oversight and maintenance raises concerns about its long-term viability. As a key structure in the area, efforts should be made to assess its condition, implement necessary risk management measures, and establish emergency action plans to mitigate potential hazards. By prioritizing the safety and sustainability of Ridgeway Dam, stakeholders can ensure a reliable water supply for the community while safeguarding against any potential environmental risks associated with its operation.
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 Ridgeway Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E Fk Trinity Rv Blw Lk Ray Hubbard Nr Forney | 33 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Nr Forney | 61 cfs | → |
| E Fk Trinity Rv Nr Crandall | 225 cfs | → |
| Squabble Ck At Shores Blvd Nr Rockwall | 4 cfs | → |
| Prairie Ck At Us Hwy 175 | 1 cfs | → |
| S Fk Sabine Rv Nr Quinlan | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ridgeway Dam.
Track Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway Dam
Where does the data for Ridgeway 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 Ridgeway Dam.