Wirtz Dam
Wirtz Dam is an earth dam located in Burnet County, Texas, built in 1951. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wirtz Dam
The primary purpose of Wirtz Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Lower Colorado River Authority (local government). It impounds the Colorado River near Marble Falls.
The dam stands 118 feet tall and stretches 5,687 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6,534 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 223,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1951, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/30/2022.
At 118 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Texas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Texas |
| County | Burnet |
| Nearest City | Marble Falls |
| River/Stream | Colorado River |
| Coordinates | 30.55546, -98.33807 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Height | 118 ft |
| Dam Length | 5,687 ft |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 223,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 223,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 134,353 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6,534 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 269,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/30/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX00986 |
| Federal ID | TX00986 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |