California Crossing Dam

ELM FORK TRINITY RIVER· Dallas, Texas· Built 1912· Concrete· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

California Crossing Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 19.7% in TX)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage517 acre-ft
Normal Storage517 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDTX05891

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 17, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF DALLAS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of California Crossing Dam?

California Crossing Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates California Crossing Dam?

California Crossing Dam is owned by CITY OF DALLAS (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was California Crossing Dam built?

California Crossing Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 California Crossing Dam?

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

How tall is California Crossing Dam?

California Crossing Dam has a dam height of 16 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 California Crossing Dam last inspected?

California Crossing Dam was last inspected on September 17, 2021. 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.