Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam

TR-BUFFALO CREEK· Kaufman, Texas· Built 1954· Earth· 33 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1954 and is 72 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	33 ft (taller than 74.3% in TX)
Dam Length	4,000 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage	190 acre-ft

Surface Area	33 acres
Drainage Area	3 sq mi
Max Discharge	8,596 cfs
Year Completed	1954 (72 years old)
NID ID	TX03360

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: December 7, 2017

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

KAUFMAN COUNTY;KAUFMAN VAN ZANDT SWCD;KINGSBOROUGH PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 2 Dam

Kaufman, TX

High Hazard 34 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11h Dam

Kaufman, TX

Low Hazard 25 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11 Dam

Kaufman, TX

High Hazard 35 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11a Dam

Kaufman, TX

Significant Hazard 35 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11k Dam

Kaufman, TX

Significant Hazard 34 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11g Dam

Kaufman, TX

Low Hazard 24 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11b Dam

Kaufman, TX

Significant Hazard 29 ft

Upper East Fk Laterals WS SCS Site 11f Dam

Kaufman, TX

Low Hazard 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 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 Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam is owned by KAUFMAN COUNTY;KAUFMAN VAN ZANDT SWCD;KINGSBOROUGH PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam built?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam was completed in 1954, making it 72 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 Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 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 Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam last inspected?

Lower East Fork Laterals WS SCS Site 1 Dam was last inspected on December 7, 2017. 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.