Blackburn Crossing Dam

NECHES RIVER· Built 1962· Earth· 75 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Other Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Blackburn Crossing Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 75 ft (taller than 98.4% in TX)
Dam Length5,720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0M acre-ft
Normal Storage373.2K acre-ft
Surface Area25,560 acres
Drainage Area847 sq mi
Max Discharge187,056 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDTX00170

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: March 15, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

UPPER NECHES RIVER MWA

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blackburn Crossing Dam?

Blackburn Crossing 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 Blackburn Crossing Dam?

Blackburn Crossing Dam is owned by UPPER NECHES RIVER MWA (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Blackburn Crossing Dam built?

Blackburn Crossing Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Blackburn Crossing Dam?

Blackburn Crossing Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Other, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Blackburn Crossing Dam?

Blackburn Crossing Dam has a dam height of 75 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 Blackburn Crossing Dam last inspected?

Blackburn Crossing Dam was last inspected on March 15, 2022. 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.