Buchanan Dam (Lake Buchanan)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Buchanan Dam
NID ID: TX00989
Longitude: -98.4183
Latitude: 30.7517
County: BURNET
River: COLORADO RIVER
State: TX
Nearest City: MARBLE FALLS
Distance: 20.00 miles
Owner Name: LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY
Owner Type: State
Dam Designer: FREESE AND NICHOLS INC;FARGO ENGINEERING CO; FREESE AND NICHOLS INC;FARGO ENGINEERING CO
Private Dam? No
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Concrete (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RSK
Purposes: Irrigation
Year Completed: 1937
Year Modified/Mod Type: 1994S
Dam Length: 10987 feet
Dam Height: 146 feet
Structural Height: 146 feet
Hydraulic Height: 146 feet
Maximum Discharge: 244000 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 1180000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 992000 acre-feet
Surface Area: 23060 acres
Drainage Area: 50 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2010-06-29
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: TCEQ
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 2666 feet
Outlet Gates: O3;V3;U1
Source Agency:

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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