Waco Lake Dam (Waco Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Waco Lake
NID ID: TX00016
Longitude: -97.21667
Latitude: 31.6
County: MCLENNAN
River: BOSQUE RIVER
State: TX
Nearest City: WACO
Distance: 5.00 miles
Owner Name: CESWF
Owner Type: Federal
Dam Designer: CESWF
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Core (Position)
Foundation: R
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1965
Dam Length: 17400 feet
Dam Height: 140 feet
Structural Height: 145 feet
Hydraulic Height: 135 feet
Maximum Discharge: 683000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 969000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 152500 acre-feet
Surface Area: 7270 acres
Drainage Area: 1670 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2008-06-05
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: N
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 560 feet
Volume of Dam: 16209000 cubic yards
Federal Design Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Construction Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Regulatory Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Inspection Agency: CE
Federal Operating Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Owner (Agency): Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Other Federal Agencies: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Source Agency: Department of Defense;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dam Safety For Boats

A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.

If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.

During flood operations, any or all spillway gates across the width of a dam can be opened to release upstream flood water that needs to pass to the next downstream reservoir. Upstream or downstream, even the most experienced boater with the strongest motor is no match for this strong flow of water plunging over a spillway of a dam. Even if you're boating far downstream of a spilling dam, recirculating current can pull a powerful boat upstream toward plunging water that could shred any boat.

Some dams equipped with navigation locks create turbulent water as well. When vessels pass through, strong flow is released near the exhaust ports of the wing wall of the lock.

Warning Systems At Dams

To warn reservoir users of potential danger, warning devices are installed at many dams:




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