Salado Creek Ws Scs Site 12 Dam

About Salado Creek Ws Scs Site 12 Dam

The primary purpose of Salado Creek Ws Scs Site 12 Dam 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 Alamo Swcd;city Of San Antonio;san Antonio River Authority (local government). It impounds the Elm Waterhole Creek near San Antonio.

The dam stands 98 feet tall and stretches 2,600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,837 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13 square miles. Completed in 1974, 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 03/04/2020.

At 98 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.