Carl Ernest Dam dam
Carl Ernest Dam
Carl Ernest Dam, located in Atascosa, Texas, along the TR-Atascosa River, was completed in 1977 by the USDA NRCS. This private earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet, with a structural height of 25 feet and a length of 738 feet. With a storage capacity of 302 acre-feet and a surface area of 31.5 acres, the dam serves various purposes beyond flood control, contributing to water resource management in the region.
Despite its relatively small drainage area of 1.63 square miles, Carl Ernest Dam plays a crucial role in water management and climate resilience in the area. Although it lacks a spillway, the dam's stone core and soil foundation provide stability and support to the structure. While the dam's hazard potential is not available, its risk assessment is classified as high, with a risk characterization of 2 out of 4, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
Overall, Carl Ernest Dam stands as a testament to the collaboration between private entities and government agencies in building essential infrastructure for water resource management. As a key component of the local water supply system, the dam supports the region's water needs and contributes to climate resilience efforts. With its high risk potential, continuous monitoring and risk management measures are essential to safeguard the dam's integrity and ensure its long-term sustainability for the benefit of the community and the environment.
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 Carl Ernest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Medina Rv Nr Von Ormy | 52 cfs | → |
| Medina Rv Nr Macdona | 0 cfs | → |
| Leon Ck At Ih 35 At San Antonio | 4 cfs | → |
| Medina Rv At San Antonio | 44 cfs | → |
| San Antonio Rv At Loop 410 At San Antonio | 21 cfs | → |
| San Pedro Ck At Furnish St | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carl Ernest Dam.
Boat launches
- Paradise Canyon. Medina River Access.
- Ih 37 Bridge. San Antonio River Access.
- Woodlawn Lake Trail San Antonio
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Carl Ernest 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 Carl Ernest Dam
Where does the data for Carl Ernest 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 Carl Ernest Dam.