Phelps Dodge Basin Dam, located in El Paso, Texas, serves as a crucial infrastructure for flood risk reduction along the TR-Rio Grande river. With a height of 31.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 32 feet, this earth dam with a buttress core stands at 2520 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 330 acre-feet. The dam, designed by CE, is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.

Despite being classified as having a fair condition assessment, Phelps Dodge Basin Dam poses a moderate risk level, indicating the importance of ongoing risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 563 feet and three uncontrolled outlet gates. The last inspection took place in May 2010, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. While the hazard potential and inundation maps are not available, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the region.

Overall, Phelps Dodge Basin Dam stands as a vital component in the water resource management infrastructure, playing a key role in protecting El Paso and its surroundings from potential flooding events. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a point of interest in understanding the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and risk management in ensuring the resilience of communities against natural disasters.