Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam

GARCIAS CREEK· Starr, Texas· Built 1963· Earth· 48 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 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 48 ft (taller than 92.3% in TX)
Dam Length3,276 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage699 acre-ft
Surface Area46 acres
Drainage Area100 sq mi
Max Discharge99,576 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDTX01703

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: June 28, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

STARR COUNTY;STARR COUNTY SWCD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 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 Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam is owned by STARR COUNTY;STARR COUNTY SWCD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam built?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam has a dam height of 48 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 Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam last inspected?

Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam was last inspected on June 28, 2023. 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.