Ballinger City Lake Dam

VALLEY CREEK· Runnels, Texas· Built 1947· Earth· 30 ft tall
High Hazard Debris Control Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ballinger City Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is debris control. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 67.1% in TX)
Dam Length4,120 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage800 acre-ft
Surface Area352 acres
Drainage Area210 sq mi
Max Discharge70,001 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDTX03247

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: December 18, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF BALLINGER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ballinger City Lake Dam?

Ballinger City Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Ballinger City Lake Dam?

Ballinger City Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF BALLINGER (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ballinger City Lake Dam built?

Ballinger City Lake Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Ballinger City Lake Dam?

Ballinger City Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Debris Control. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ballinger City Lake Dam?

Ballinger City Lake Dam has a dam height of 30 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Ballinger City Lake Dam last inspected?

Ballinger City Lake Dam was last inspected on December 18, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.