Fort Phantom Hill Dam

BIG ELM CREEK· Jones, Texas· Built 1938· Earth· 84 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fort Phantom Hill Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 84 ft (taller than 98.9% in TX)
Dam Length3,740 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage136.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage70.3K acre-ft
Surface Area4,246 acres
Drainage Area481 sq mi
Max Discharge307,800 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDTX02483

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 3, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF ABILENE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fort Phantom Hill Dam?

Fort Phantom Hill 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 Fort Phantom Hill Dam?

Fort Phantom Hill Dam is owned by CITY OF ABILENE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fort Phantom Hill Dam built?

Fort Phantom Hill Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Fort Phantom Hill Dam?

Fort Phantom Hill Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fort Phantom Hill Dam?

Fort Phantom Hill Dam has a dam height of 84 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 Fort Phantom Hill Dam last inspected?

Fort Phantom Hill Dam was last inspected on June 3, 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.