Graham Dam
Graham Dam is an earth dam located in Young County, Texas, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Graham Dam
The primary purpose of Graham 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 Graham (local government). It impounds the Salt Creek near Graham.
The dam stands 82 feet tall and stretches 4,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,900 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 105,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 42 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/22/2024.
At 82 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Young |
| Nearest City | Graham |
| River/Stream | Salt Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.12875, -98.62150 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 82 ft |
| Dam Height | 82 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 105,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 105,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 39,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,900 acres |
| Drainage Area | 42 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 175,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF GRAHAM |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 07/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03945 |
| Federal ID | TX03945 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |