Portland Avenue Dam

OFF-CHANNEL RIO GRANDE· El Paso, Texas· Earth· 26 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Portland Avenue Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. 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 26 ft (taller than 55.2% in TX)
Dam Length270 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge360 cfs
NID IDTX09511

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 13, 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 Portland Avenue Dam?

Portland 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 Portland Avenue Dam?

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

What is the primary purpose of Portland Avenue Dam?

Portland Avenue Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Portland Avenue Dam?

Portland Avenue Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Portland Avenue Dam last inspected?

Portland Avenue Dam was last inspected on February 13, 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.