Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam

THREEMILE DRAW· Terrell, Texas· Built 1980· Earth· 52 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1980 and is 46 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 52 ft (taller than 94.7% in TX)
Dam Length2,905 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage160 acre-ft
Surface Area45 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge37,187 cfs
Year Completed1980 (46 years old)
NID IDTX04897

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: January 21, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

BIG BEND SWCD;BREWSTER COUNTY;PECOS COUNTY;RIO GRANDE-PECOS RIVER SWCD;TERRELL COUNTY;TRANS PECOS SWCD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 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 Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam is owned by BIG BEND SWCD;BREWSTER COUNTY;PECOS COUNTY;RIO GRANDE-PECOS RIVER SWCD;TERRELL COUNTY;TRANS PECOS SWCD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam built?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam was completed in 1980, making it 46 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 Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 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 Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam has a dam height of 52 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 Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam last inspected?

Sanderson Canyon WS SCS Site 7 Dam was last inspected on January 21, 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.