Falcon Dam

Falcon Dam Quick Facts

Location: Starr, Texas
Coordinates: 26.559, -99.1669998
River: Rio Grande River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Concrete Earth
Commissioned: 1953
Dam Height: 150 ft (46 m)
Dam Length: 26,294 ft (8,014 m)
Dam Capacity: 3,177,000 acre-ft (3,918,766 Ml)
Share Falcon Dam:

Falcon Dam Map

Falcon Dam Information

Falcon Dam is a concrete earth dam located about 20 miles from Roma, Starr, Texas.

The dam, which is on the Rio Grande River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Irrigation, Recreation and Hydroelectric benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1953 and is currently owned by International Boundary and Water Commission;Mexico Comision Internacional de Limites y Aguas.

Falcon Dam Structure

The Falcon Dam is approximately 26,294 feet (8,014 m) long, 150 feet (46 m) high and has a structural volume of 13,242,000 cubic yards (10,124,237 cubic metres).

Falcon Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 2,668,000 acre-ft (3,290,925 Ml) and maximum capacity of 3,177,000 acre-ft (3,918,766 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 115,400 acres (46,701 ha) and the total catchment area is 159,270 square miles (412,508 square kilometres).

Falcon Dam Spillway

The dam has a 350 feet (107 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 456000 cubic feet per second (12912 cubic metres per second).

Falcon Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Falcon Dam
Starr, Texas
Height (ft)
150
Length (Ft)
26,294
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,177,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
159,270
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Falcon Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Falcon Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 23:17
Sunrise 07:36
Sunset 19:08
Temperature (°F) 77
Feels Like (°F) 77
Cloud Coverage (%) 0
Pressure (inHg) 1015
Humidity (%) 53
Wind Speed (mph) 12
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Falcon Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 69 93 85 1015 26 13 24 ESE 0 - clear sky
Wed 71 89 85 1020 40 29 38 ENE 29 0 light rain
Thu 71 78 79 1019 61 21 31 ESE 100 5 light rain
Fri 72 83 83 1018 56 21 30 SE 20 0 light rain
Sat 75 87 87 1019 49 18 28 SE 0 - scattered clouds
Sun 73 88 89 1018 49 17 27 ESE 20 0 light rain
Mon 74 90 91 1016 50 16 22 ESE 20 0 light rain
Tue 77 90 91 1018 51 17 24 ESE 20 0 light rain

Falcon Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Falcon Dam?

Falcon Dam is in Texas.

In which county is the Falcon Dam?

Falcon Dam is in Starr County.

How high is the Falcon Dam?

Falcon Dam is 150 feet high.

How long is the Falcon Dam?

Falcon Dam is 26,294 feet long.

Share Falcon Dam:

More Dams in Starr County:

Falcon Dam
Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 2 Dam
Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 5 Dam
Olmitos and Garcias Crks WS SCS Site 7 Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

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. Investigations and studies are necessary.

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.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

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, environment 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.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

Generated by MPG