Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam

SQUAW CREEK· Somervell, Texas· Built 1979· Rockfill· 71 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 71 ft (taller than 98.1% in TX)
Dam Length1,520 ft
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage875 acre-ft
Normal Storage558 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge5,921 cfs
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDTX04912

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: June 21, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

TEXAS UTILITIES GENERATING COMPANY

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown 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 Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam is owned by TEXAS UTILITIES GENERATING COMPANY (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam built?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam has a dam height of 71 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 Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam last inspected?

Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam was last inspected on June 21, 2023. 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.