Jim Thornton Dam
Jim Thornton Dam is an earth dam located in Bell County, Texas, built in 1925. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Jim Thornton Dam
The primary purpose of Jim Thornton Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Temple (local government). It impounds the Bird Creek near Temple.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 31 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 778 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century 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 11/03/2020.
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 | Bell |
| Nearest City | Temple |
| River/Stream | Bird Creek |
| Coordinates | 31.10121, -97.37334 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 800 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 778 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 778 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 208 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 31 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 19,727 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | CITY OF TEMPLE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/03/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX02334 |
| Federal ID | TX02334 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |