Retamal Diversion Dam
Retamal Diversion Dam is a concrete dam located in Hidalgo County, Texas, built in 1975. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Retamal Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Retamal Diversion 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 International Boundary And Water Commission;mexico Comision Internacional De Limites Y Aguas (federal). It impounds the Rio Grande near Linda.
The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 172 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 176,112 square miles. Completed in 1975, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. 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 02/01/2023.
At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Texas |
| County | Hidalgo |
| Nearest City | Linda |
| River/Stream | Rio Grande |
| Coordinates | 26.05132, -98.03452 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Height | 36 ft |
| Dam Length | 172 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,000 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 176,112 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 30,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/01/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX07037 |
| Federal ID | TX07037 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |