Retamal Diversion Dam

Rio Grande· Hidalgo, Texas· Built 1975· Concrete· 36 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Retamal Diversion Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 79.5% in TX)
Dam Length172 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage6.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Drainage Area176,112 sq mi
Max Discharge30,000 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
Year Modified1994
NID IDTX07037

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 2, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Retamal Diversion Dam?

Retamal Diversion Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Retamal Diversion Dam?

Retamal Diversion Dam is owned by International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Retamal Diversion Dam built?

Retamal Diversion Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Retamal Diversion Dam?

Retamal Diversion 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 Retamal Diversion Dam?

Retamal Diversion Dam has a dam height of 36 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 Retamal Diversion Dam last inspected?

Retamal Diversion Dam was last inspected on November 2, 2016. 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.