Somerville Dam
Key Takeaway
Somerville Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 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 | 80 ft (taller than 98.6% in TX) |
| Dam Length | 20,210 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.0M acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 226.0K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6,430 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,012 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 348,081 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
| NID ID | TX00013 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
USACE - Fort Worth District
Federal Government
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Low Hazard 27 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Somerville Dam?
Somerville 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 Somerville Dam?
Somerville 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 Somerville Dam built?
Somerville Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Somerville Dam?
Somerville 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 Somerville Dam?
Somerville Dam has a dam height of 80 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 Somerville Dam last inspected?
Somerville Dam was last inspected on May 16, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.