Ray Roberts Dam

ELM FORK OF THE TRINITY RIVER· Denton, Texas· Built 1986· Earth· 141 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Ray Roberts Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 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 141 ft (taller than 99.7% in TX)
Dam Length14,980 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.9M acre-ft
Normal Storage799.6K acre-ft
Surface Area29,350 acres
Drainage Area692 sq mi
Max Discharge14,500 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDTX08008

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: March 6, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Fort Worth District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ray Roberts Dam?

Ray Roberts 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 Ray Roberts Dam?

Ray Roberts Dam is owned by USACE - Fort Worth District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ray Roberts Dam built?

Ray Roberts Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Ray Roberts Dam?

Ray Roberts Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ray Roberts Dam?

Ray Roberts Dam has a dam height of 141 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 Ray Roberts Dam last inspected?

Ray Roberts Dam was last inspected on March 6, 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.