Ben Ficklin Dam
Ben Ficklin Dam is a gravity dam located in Tom Green County, Texas, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Ben Ficklin Dam
The primary purpose of Ben Ficklin 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 San Angelo (local government). It impounds the South Concho River near San Angelo.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 288 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 36 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 515 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1918, 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 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 05/08/2023.
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 | Tom Green |
| Nearest City | San Angelo |
| River/Stream | South Concho River |
| Coordinates | 31.41408, -100.44235 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 288 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 515 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 515 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 316 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 36 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF SAN ANGELO |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX04415 |
| Federal ID | TX04415 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |