Morehead Avenue Dam

OFF CH-RIO GRANDE· El Paso, Texas· Built 1948· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Local Government

Key Takeaway

Morehead Avenue Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. 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 28 ft (taller than 61.3% in TX)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge586 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDTX07015

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: February 12, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF EL PASO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Morehead Avenue Dam?

Morehead Avenue 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 Morehead Avenue Dam?

Morehead Avenue Dam is owned by CITY OF EL PASO (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Morehead Avenue Dam built?

Morehead Avenue Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Morehead Avenue Dam?

Morehead Avenue Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Morehead Avenue Dam last inspected?

Morehead Avenue Dam was last inspected on February 12, 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.