Sam Rayburn Dam, located on the Angelina River in Texas, was completed in 1965 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to primarily reduce flood risk to downstream communities. The dam, an earth type structure standing at 120 feet tall and 12,400 feet long, has a high hazard potential and a moderate risk classification due to the potential for breach during extreme flood events. Although the dam does not eliminate the risk of flooding, it is designed to reduce peak flooding levels downstream without compromising its structural integrity.

To manage the risk associated with Sam Rayburn Dam, the US Army Corps of Engineers has implemented various proactive measures. These include conducting emergency exercises with local and state responders, updating the Emergency Action Plan annually, and developing a communications plan for the dam. The Corps also conducts regular inspections, monitors the dam's instrumentation system, and stockpiles materials to mitigate erosion risks. In the event of a breach, downstream communities, including Evadale, Beaumont, and Nederland, could face catastrophic flooding and significant economic impacts, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management efforts to ensure public safety and dam integrity.