Olmitos and Garcias Creeks Watershed SCS Site 6 Dam, located in Starr County, Texas, is a vital flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1962.
Wind
Humidity
This earth dam stands at a height of 41 feet and spans a length of 2083 feet, with a storage capacity of 3147 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock and small fish pond, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and flood risk reduction for the surrounding area.
The dam is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a fair condition assessment as of January 2018, the dam has a moderate risk rating and is equipped with uncontrolled and valve outlet gates to manage water levels during high flow events. The dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, protecting communities from flooding, and providing habitat for diverse wildlife species in the El Gato Creek watershed.
As a key infrastructure project in the Galveston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Olmitos and Garcias Creeks Watershed SCS Site 6 Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government agencies and local stakeholders in water resource management. With its strategic location and effective design, the dam serves as a model for sustainable flood risk reduction and ecosystem protection in the region, highlighting the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure to address the challenges of a changing climate.
Year Completed |
1962 |
Dam Length |
2083 |
Dam Height |
41 |
River Or Stream |
EL GATO CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
39 |
Hydraulic Height |
41 |
Drainage Area |
16.1 |
Nid Storage |
3147 |
Structural Height |
41 |
Outlet Gates |
Uncontrolled - 2, Valve - 1 |
Hazard Potential |
Not Available |
Foundations |
Rock, Soil |
Nid Height |
41 |
Rio Grande At Ft Ringgold
|
2110cfs |