Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam dam
Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam
Located in Glen Rose, Texas, the Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam serves as a crucial Category I Emergency Cooling Water structure for the public utility. Designed by FREESE & NICHOLS INC, this Rockfill dam stands at a height of 71 feet and spans a length of 1520 feet, with a storage capacity of 875 acre-feet. Completed in 1979, it is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and inspected by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam has a moderate risk rating of 3, emphasizing the importance of ongoing risk management measures.
The dam's purpose extends beyond traditional water resource management, reflecting its unique role in supporting emergency cooling operations at the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant. Situated on Squaw Creek, the dam plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and stability of the plant's operations. While it has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, regular inspections and maintenance uphold its functionality and reliability. The surrounding area, including Somervell County, benefits from the dam's presence as a safeguard against potential emergencies.
With a spillway width of 40 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 5921 cubic feet per second, the Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam is equipped to handle sudden surges in water flow. Its location within the Fort Worth District adds to its strategic significance within the region. As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure resilience, the dam's role in emergency preparedness and risk mitigation becomes increasingly vital. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the nuances of structures like the Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam underscores the interconnectedness of water management, energy production, and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paluxy Rv At Glen Rose | 6 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Glen Rose | 385 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Ds Lk Granbury Nr Granbury | 359 cfs | → |
| Brazos Rv Nr Dennis | 287 cfs | → |
| Nolan Rv At Blum | 47 cfs | → |
| N Bosque Rv At Hico | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam.
Boat launches
- Coates Road 2200, Granbury
- Us 67 Somervell County
- Monticello Drive 8517, Granbury
- East State Loop 426 621, Granbury
- North Lipan Drive 2301-2303, Granbury
- Pr 21 North 2212, Cleburne
Campgrounds
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Thorp Spring - Lake Granbury
- Hunter Park - Lake Granbury
- Stephenville City Park
- Hico City Park
- Site: 001, Loop: Mustang Non Site Specific
Fishing spots
Track Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam
Where does the data for Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Comanche Peak Safe Shutdown Dam.