Comanche Trail Lake Dam

BIG SPRING DRAW· Howard, Texas· Built 1914· Earth· 19 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Comanche Trail Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1914 and is 112 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 19 ft (taller than 30.6% in TX)
Dam Length1,105 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage520 acre-ft
Normal Storage355 acre-ft
Surface Area22 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge3,312 cfs
Year Completed1914 (112 years old)
NID IDTX03799

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: October 24, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF BIG SPRING

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Comanche Trail Lake Dam?

Comanche Trail 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 Comanche Trail Lake Dam?

Comanche Trail Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF BIG SPRING (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Comanche Trail Lake Dam built?

Comanche Trail Lake Dam was completed in 1914, making it 112 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 Trail Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Comanche Trail Lake Dam?

Comanche Trail Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Trail Lake Dam last inspected?

Comanche Trail Lake Dam was last inspected on October 24, 2018. 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.