Hueco Tanks State Park Dam

OFF CH-RIO GRANDE· El Paso, Texas· Built 1955· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Hueco Tanks State Park Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 77.6% in TX)
Dam Length1,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage140 acre-ft
Normal Storage140 acre-ft
Surface Area14 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDTX06946

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: July 20, 1996
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hueco Tanks State Park Dam?

Hueco Tanks State Park 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 Hueco Tanks State Park Dam?

Hueco Tanks State Park Dam is owned by TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hueco Tanks State Park Dam built?

Hueco Tanks State Park Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Hueco Tanks State Park Dam?

Hueco Tanks State Park 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 Hueco Tanks State Park Dam?

Hueco Tanks State Park Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Hueco Tanks State Park Dam last inspected?

Hueco Tanks State Park Dam was last inspected on July 20, 1996. 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.