Waddell Ranch Dam No 3

JOES CREEK· Palo Pinto, Texas· Built 1975· Earth· 54 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 54 ft (taller than 95.3% in TX)
Dam Length613 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage488 acre-ft
Normal Storage307 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge5,850 cfs
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDTX04443

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 22, 1976
State Regulated: No

Ownership

EARL WADDELL INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Waddell Ranch Dam No 3?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Waddell Ranch Dam No 3?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 is owned by EARL WADDELL INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 built?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Waddell Ranch Dam No 3?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Waddell Ranch Dam No 3?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 has a dam height of 54 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 Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 last inspected?

Waddell Ranch Dam No 3 was last inspected on September 22, 1976. 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.