Dam 47
Dam 47 is an earth dam located in Bell County, Texas, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Dam 47
The primary purpose of Dam 47 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Fort Cavazos (federal). It impounds the Long Branch near Killeen.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 2,109 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 21 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,189 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/14/2020.
At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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 | Bell |
| Nearest City | Killeen |
| River/Stream | Long Branch |
| Coordinates | 31.14151, -97.70101 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,109 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,189 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,189 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 67 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 21 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,019 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Fort Cavazos |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/14/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX02347 |
| Federal ID | TX02347 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |