Richmond Ave Dam

TRIB. OF RIO GRANDE· El Paso, Texas· Built 1934· 23 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Richmond Ave Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 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 23 ft (taller than 44.9% in TX)
Dam Length250 ft
Max Storage6 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,546 cfs
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDTX09690

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 12, 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 Richmond Ave Dam?

Richmond Ave 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 Richmond Ave Dam?

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

When was Richmond Ave Dam built?

Richmond Ave Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Richmond Ave Dam?

Richmond Ave 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 Richmond Ave Dam?

Richmond Ave Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Richmond Ave Dam last inspected?

Richmond Ave Dam was last inspected on February 12, 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.