Willis River Dam #1b

About Willis River Dam #1b

The primary purpose of Willis River Dam #1b 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 Peter Francisco Soil And Water Conservation District (local government). It impounds the Tr-willis River.

The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,204 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. 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 10/25/2022.

At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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