Dick Nichols Park Dam
Dick Nichols Park Dam is an earth dam located in Travis County, Texas, built in 1994. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Dick Nichols Park Dam
The primary purpose of Dick Nichols Park 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 City Of Austin (local government). It impounds the Kincheon Branch near Austin.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 1,450 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 177 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1994, the structure is 32 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/21/2024.
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 | Travis |
| Nearest City | Austin |
| River/Stream | Kincheon Branch |
| Coordinates | 30.21269, -97.85443 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1994 (32 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 177 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 177 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,099 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF AUSTIN |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 05/21/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX06902 |
| Federal ID | TX06902 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |