Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam

RITA BLANCA CREEK· Hartley, Texas· Built 1940· Earth· 75 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 75 ft (taller than 98.4% in TX)
Dam Length2,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.5K acre-ft
Surface Area498 acres
Drainage Area1,062 sq mi
Max Discharge2 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDTX03746

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 5, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF DALHART

Local Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir 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 Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF DALHART (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam built?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 75 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 Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Rita Blanca Creek Reservoir Dam was last inspected on March 5, 2019. 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.