Gonzales Creek Dam
Gonzales Creek Dam is an earth dam located in Stephens County, Texas, built in 1948. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Gonzales Creek Dam
The primary purpose of Gonzales Creek Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Breckenridge (local government). It impounds the Gunsolus Creek near Breckenridge.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 2,700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 954 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 38,242 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 84 square miles. Completed in 1948, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 05/30/2023.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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 | Stephens |
| Nearest City | Breckenridge |
| River/Stream | Gunsolus Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.64874, -98.86915 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 38,242 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 38,242 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11,400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 954 acres |
| Drainage Area | 84 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 150,484 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF BRECKENRIDGE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/30/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03635 |
| Federal ID | TX03635 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |