Iron Bridge Dam

SABINE RIVER· Van Zandt, Texas· Built 1960· Earth· 85 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Iron Bridge Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 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 85 ft (taller than 98.9% in TX)
Dam Length29,560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7M acre-ft
Normal Storage888.1K acre-ft
Surface Area37,879 acres
Drainage Area752 sq mi
Max Discharge148,529 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDTX00491

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 26, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Iron Bridge Dam?

Iron Bridge 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 Iron Bridge Dam?

Iron Bridge Dam is owned by SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Iron Bridge Dam built?

Iron Bridge Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Iron Bridge Dam?

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

How tall is Iron Bridge Dam?

Iron Bridge Dam has a dam height of 85 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 Iron Bridge Dam last inspected?

Iron Bridge Dam was last inspected on October 26, 2020. 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.