Murvaul Bayou Dam
Key Takeaway
Murvaul Bayou Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 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 | 46 ft (taller than 90.9% in TX) |
| Dam Length | 9,000 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 129.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 45.8K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,720 acres |
| Drainage Area | 115 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 49,100 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
| NID ID | TX00330 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
PANOLA COUNTY FWSD 1
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Murvaul Bayou Dam?
Murvaul Bayou 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam?
Murvaul Bayou Dam is owned by PANOLA COUNTY FWSD 1 (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Murvaul Bayou Dam built?
Murvaul Bayou Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam?
Murvaul Bayou 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam?
Murvaul Bayou Dam has a dam height of 46 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 Murvaul Bayou Dam last inspected?
Murvaul Bayou Dam was last inspected on June 15, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.