Emerald Lake Dam

TRIBUTARY OF MOUNTAIN CREEK· Dallas, Texas· Built 1997· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Local Government

Key Takeaway

Emerald Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. 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 23 ft (taller than 44.9% in TX)
Dam Length500 ft
Max Storage160 acre-ft
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,250 cfs
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDTX07342

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 21, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF DALLAS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Joe Pool Dam

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Bentle Branch Detention Dam

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Magic Valley Ranch Lake Dam

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Mountain Creek Dam

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Golden Lake Dam

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Fountain View Dam

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Woody Branch Dam

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Dallas National Golf Club Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Emerald Lake Dam?

Emerald 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 Emerald Lake Dam?

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

When was Emerald Lake Dam built?

Emerald Lake Dam was completed in 1997, making it 29 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Emerald Lake Dam?

Emerald Lake Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Emerald Lake Dam last inspected?

Emerald Lake Dam was last inspected on October 21, 2015. 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.