Champion Creek Dam

Champion Creek Dam is an earth dam located in Mitchell County, Texas, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Champion Creek Dam

The primary purpose of Champion Creek Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Luminant Power Company Llc (private). It impounds the Champion Creek.

The dam stands 120 feet tall and stretches 9,600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,560 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 90,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 164 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/26/2023.

At 120 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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateTexas
CountyMitchell
River/StreamChampion Creek
Coordinates32.28055, -100.85855

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height120 ft
Dam Height114 ft
Dam Length9,600 ft
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage90,200 acre-ft
Max Storage90,200 acre-ft
Normal Storage42,500 acre-ft
Surface Area1,560 acres
Drainage Area164 sq mi
Max Discharge79,281 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerLUMINANT POWER COMPANY LLC
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection07/26/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDTX01691
Federal IDTX01691
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams