Lake Childress Dam

TR OF BAYLOR CREEK· Childress, Texas· Built 1922· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Childress Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 33 ft (taller than 74.3% in TX)
Dam Length2,800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.7K acre-ft
Surface Area313 acres
Drainage Area15 sq mi
Max Discharge1 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDTX03621

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: No
Last Inspection: January 19, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF CHILDRESS

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Childress Dam?

Lake Childress 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 Lake Childress Dam?

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

When was Lake Childress Dam built?

Lake Childress Dam was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Lake Childress Dam?

Lake Childress 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 Lake Childress Dam?

Lake Childress Dam has a dam height of 33 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 Lake Childress Dam last inspected?

Lake Childress Dam was last inspected on January 19, 2022. 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.