Rattlesnake Dam is an earth dam located in El Paso County, Texas, built in 1938. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 18 ft18 ft tall and 1,250 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Rattlesnake Dam
The primary purpose of Rattlesnake 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 Indian Cliffs Ranch Inc (private). It impounds the San Felipe Arroyo near Fabens.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 1,250 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1938, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 09/28/2006. That was over 20 years ago.
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Location
| State | Texas |
| County | El Paso |
| Nearest City | Fabens |
| River/Stream | San Felipe Arroyo |
| Coordinates | 31.55269, -106.09696 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1938 (88 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Indian Cliffs Ranch Inc |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 09/28/2006 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX01959 |
| Federal ID | TX01959 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |