Mexia Dam
Mexia Dam is an earth dam located in Callahan County, Texas, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Mexia Dam
The primary purpose of Mexia Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Baird (local government). It impounds the Mexia Creek near Jayell.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 1,660 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,370 acre-feet. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 12/11/2023.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% 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 | Callahan |
| Nearest City | Jayell |
| River/Stream | Mexia Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.37566, -99.36974 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,660 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,370 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,370 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,070 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 2 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF BAIRD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/11/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX02943 |
| Federal ID | TX02943 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |