Falcon Dam
Key Takeaway
Falcon Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 150 ft (taller than 99.8% in TX) |
| Dam Length | 26,294 ft |
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| Max Storage | 3.2M acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.7M acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 115,400 acres |
| Drainage Area | 159,270 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 456,000 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
| NID ID | TX00024 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas
Federal Government
Nearby Dams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Falcon Dam?
Falcon 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 Falcon Dam?
Falcon Dam is owned by International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Falcon Dam built?
Falcon Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Falcon Dam?
Falcon Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Irrigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Falcon Dam?
Falcon Dam has a dam height of 150 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 Falcon Dam last inspected?
Falcon Dam was last inspected on July 20, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.