Wesley E Seale Dam (Lake Corpus Christi)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Wesley E Seale Dam
NID ID: TX03895
Longitude: -97.865
Latitude: 28.0417
County: JIM WELLS
River: NUECES RIVER
State: TX
Nearest City: CORPUS CHRISTI
Distance: 22.00 miles
Owner Name: CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Owner Type: Local Government
Dam Designer: AMBURSEN ENGINEERING;AMBURSEN ENGINEERING
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Core (Position)
Earth (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: SK
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1958
Year Modified/Mod Type: 2001O
Dam Length: 5980 feet
Dam Height: 81 feet
Structural Height: 81 feet
Hydraulic Height: 81 feet
Maximum Discharge: 3707516 cu ft/sec
Maximum Storage: 531000 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 257260 acre-feet
Surface Area: 44100 acres
Drainage Area: 16656 square miles
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? Yes
Inspection Date: 2007-10-10
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: TCEQ
Spillway Type: Controlled
Spillway Width: 2400 feet
Outlet Gates: O61
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:




Quick Links
Lake Corpus Christi News
Lake Corpus Christi Photos
Lake Corpus Christi Videos




About Us
Contact Us
Site Map
Search Site
Advertise With Us
   
CorpusChristi.LakesOnline.com
THE LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI WEBSITE

Copyright 2024, Lakes Online
Privacy    |    Legal