Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond dam
Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond
Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond is a privately owned structure located in McMullen County, Texas, with a primary purpose listed as "Other." The dam type is classified as Earth, with a stone core and a structural height of 18 feet. The pond has a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 22 acre-feet. Despite its small surface area of 5 acres and a lack of a spillway, the dam poses a high risk potential, with a hazard potential of "Not Available."
This off-channel freshwater pond, managed by the Fort Worth District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, poses potential risks due to its lack of condition assessment and emergency action plan. The absence of inspection dates and frequency raises concerns about the structural integrity of the dam and its ability to withstand high discharges. The pond's association with emergency contacts, inundation maps, and risk management measures remains unclear, highlighting the need for further assessment and planning to mitigate potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond should focus on its risk potential and the need for improved safety measures. With a high risk assessment and limited information on its safety protocols, this privately owned structure in Texas serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam management and emergency preparedness in ensuring the protection of water resources and surrounding communities.
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 Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Frio Rv At Tilden | 0 cfs | → |
| San Miguel Ck Nr Tilden | 6 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Tilden | 111 cfs | → |
| Atascosa Rv At Whitsett | 194 cfs | → |
| Choke Canyon Res Owc Nr Three Rivers | 37 cfs | → |
| Nueces Rv Nr Three Rivers | 885 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond.
Campgrounds
Track Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond 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 Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond
Where does the data for Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond 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 Ralph Edwards Freshwater Pond.