Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam

Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Henderson County, Texas, built in 1952. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Catfish Creek Ranch Lake Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Nationsbank Of Texas Na Trustee Murchison Trust (private). It impounds the Catfish Creek.

The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 1,411 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 256 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,308 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1952, 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 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 06/02/2021.

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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateTexas
CountyHenderson
River/StreamCatfish Creek
Coordinates32.05293, -95.79821

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height21 ft
Dam Height21 ft
Dam Length1,411 ft
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage4,308 acre-ft
Max Storage4,308 acre-ft
Normal Storage815 acre-ft
Surface Area256 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge9,121 cfs
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeIrrigation
OwnerNATIONSBANK OF TEXAS NA TRUSTEE MURCHISON TRUST
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection06/02/2021
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDTX00218
Federal IDTX00218
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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