Flood Control Dams in San Saba County

Flood Control dams in San Saba County serve their intended purpose during heavy rains. It has been 84 years since the large flood of 1938 and many floods thereafter. After this many years, some people’s memory begins to dim, others involved will never forget; but newcomers have never heard of the floods or refuse to believe that it could ever happen again. Being told tracing back over the history records of floods of major proportions, before the dams were built, it appears that there was major flooding periodically. 2018 being a flooding event as of recent.

In San Saba County, these rains often put our local flood dams to the test.

Constructed as part of the Federal Watershed Protection Program, there are 23 structures that have been in operation since the first one was built in the late 1950s. They are split into 2 sections that cross the county. Lower San Saba River and Southeast Laterals. The Texas Legislature appropriates funds for operation, maintenance and structural repair. San Saba County provides matching funds toward this continued maintenance in the amount of $6,000.00. These dams have prevented thousands of dollars damage to roads, property and life. Without these dams functioning properly, severe loss and loss of life certainly would occur.

The San Saba Soil & Water Conservation District and the San Saba Commissioners Court are the sponsors, holding easements of these 23 flood prevention dams. 3 of these dams are on the Wallace Creek Watershed. 10 of the dams provide protection for the creeks draining into the San Saba River. The other 10 dams provide protection to Wilbarger Creek, Northwest of Richland Springs.

All these dams were built on private property with the understanding that the landowners would provide the land and that the federal government would provide the engineering and construction services and local sponsors, such as SWCDS, Counties, Cities, and other improvement districts would be responsible for maintenance and repairs.  Landowners of these dams are an extremely vital part to the continued upkeep. The dams belong to the landowners with recorded easements to the sponsors for access for operation and maintenance. Certain restrictions are required of the landowners and sponsors on these dams. Annual inspections are made by the SWCD, Commissioners Court for needed maintenance.

All the dams are classified. TCEQ makes those assessments during inspections and continued map updating. Depending on downstream development, floodplain and such, TCEQ has 5 of the totals listed as High Hazzard. Those dams are inspected by TCEQ engineers and personnel every 3 to 5 years.

The San Saba Soil & Water Conservation District with technical assistance from USDAs NRCS and financial assistance from the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board, has recently completed maintenance on 21 flood control structures since the beginning of the year.

 With great entities working together in cooperation, we have completed structural repairs to the risers and completed rigorous chemical control for brush and other invasive species, that could affect the integrity of the dam.

Together we continue to work to upkeep these dams at tip top shape as always for the protection of our beloved San Saba County.

For more information contact the San Saba SWCD#250 at 325-372-5638 x 113 or visit http://www.tsswbb.state.tx.us/en/floodcontrol