Belton Lake Dam (Belton Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Belton Lake
NID ID: TX00002
Longitude: -97.4833
Latitude: 31.1
County: BELL
River: LEON RIVER
State: TX
Nearest City: BELTON
Distance: 3.00 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: 1954
Dam Length: 5524 feet
Dam Height: 192 feet
Structural Height: 192 feet
Hydraulic Height: 187 feet
Maximum Discharge: 472500 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 1876700 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 457600 acre-feet
Surface Area: 12300 acres
Drainage Area: 3560 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2009-04-07
Inspection Frequency: 5
State Regulated Dam? No
State Regulating Agency: N
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 1300 feet
Outlet Gates: Uncontrolled
Volume of Dam: 6060000 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:




Quick Links
Belton Lake News
Belton Lake Photos
Belton Lake Videos




About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Search Site
Advertise With Us
   
Belton.LakesOnline.com
THE BELTON LAKE WEBSITE

Copyright 2024, Lakes Online
Privacy    |    Legal