Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3
Key Takeaway
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1991 and is 35 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 | 60 ft (taller than 96.9% in TX) |
| Dam Length | 988 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 4.3K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 127 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 79,912 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1991 (35 years old) |
| NID ID | TX06432 |
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
CITY OF SAN MARCOS;HAYS COUNTY;HAYS COUNTY SWCD;UPPER SAN MARCOS WS RECL FCD
Local Government
Nearby Dams
Aquarena Dam
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Significant Hazard 7 ftUpper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 2
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High Hazard 51 ftUpper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 1
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High Hazard 80 ftRio Vista Dam
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Low Hazard 8 ftUpper San Marcos River WS NRCS Site 5 Dam
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High Hazard 65 ftSan Marcos State Fish Hatchery
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Low Hazard 30 ftHays County Park Lake Dam
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Low Hazard 8 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 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 Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 is owned by CITY OF SAN MARCOS;HAYS COUNTY;HAYS COUNTY SWCD;UPPER SAN MARCOS WS RECL FCD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 built?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 was completed in 1991, making it 35 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 Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 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 Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 has a dam height of 60 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 Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 last inspected?
Upper San Marcos River WS SCS Site 3 was last inspected on October 13, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.