Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam

CATFISH CREEK· Henderson, Texas· Built 1952· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 21 ft (taller than 38.8% in TX)
Dam Length1,411 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage815 acre-ft
Surface Area256 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge9,121 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDTX00218

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: June 2, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS NA TRUSTEE MURCHISON TRUST

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam?

Catfish Creek Ranch 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 Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam?

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam is owned by NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS NA TRUSTEE MURCHISON TRUST (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam built?

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam?

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam?

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam last inspected?

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam was last inspected on June 2, 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.