De Cordova Bend Dam
De Cordova Bend Dam is an earth dam located in Hood County, Texas, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About De Cordova Bend Dam
The primary purpose of De Cordova Bend Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Brazos River Authority (local government). It impounds the Brazos River near Rainbow.
The dam stands 84 feet tall and stretches 2,200 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,350 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 240,640 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15,451 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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 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 08/05/2020.
At 84 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Hood |
| Nearest City | Rainbow |
| River/Stream | Brazos River |
| Coordinates | 32.37336, -97.68796 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 84 ft |
| Dam Height | 79 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,200 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 240,640 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 240,640 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 136,823 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,350 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15,451 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 635,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/05/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03956 |
| Federal ID | TX03956 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |