Donahoe Creek Watershed Dams Story by Temple Daily Telegram

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BREECH IMPACT PUT IN SPOTLIGHT: Officials Analyze Earthen Dams
by Paul A. Romer
Published: April 5, 2009
Dale Mengers looks over the Elm Creek Watershed Dam shortly after its completion last year. (Scott Gaulin/Telegram)
Part of Bell County’s infrastructure has been classified as “high hazard” by the National Resources Conservation Service, a designation that requires the development of emergency action plans.

Many people may not have considered the earthen dams spread around the county in three different watersheds as infrastructure, but during times of heavy rains the dams are critical for preventing flooding.

The designation has nothing to do with the structural integrity of the dams, but is instead a reflection of increased development downstream.

Eight of 25 earthen dams in the Bell County jurisdiction of the Elm Creek Watershed Authority are being analyzed to determine the impact a breech from one or more of the dams would have downstream.

Another three dams in the Donahoe Creek Watershed, which spans southern Bell County, are being analyzed because they are potentially “high hazard.”

Dale Mengers, a consultant with Elm Creek Watershed, said the NRCS classification was based purely on a visual inspection of the area downstream from the dams. Since it looked like loss of life or significant loss of property could result in the event of a breech, the state agency moved the dams up on the classification list.

“The dams are inspected every year,” Mengers said. “They are in a safe state, but new roads, homes and businesses could be inundated in the event of a breech.”

Bell County Engineer Bryan Neaves said the county entered into an agreement with the watershed authorities in December to pay half the cost of engineering studies of the dams, which are now under way.

The Elm Creek project is $96,000 and Donahoe Creek $26,000.

When the studies are complete, the county and watershed authorities will understand better the impact of potential breeches.

“We expect to receive models and maps this spring,” Neaves said.

Mengers characterized the studies as “a preventative thing,” something that emergency officials could use in a catastrophic event to quickly determine people who might need assistance or could be in danger.

In the Elm Creek Watershed most of the dams being analyzed are in the Zabcikville area.

One dam off Brewster Road is close to Temple’s industrial park and has lots of homes downstream. Another dam near Pecan Road has homes downstream that could be in a breech zone.

The studies at Donahoe Creek Watershed are in a more rural area of the county near the Milam County line. The Donahoe Creek Watershed also includes part of Williamson County.

Elm Creek Watershed maintains more than 30 dams in a four-county basin area. Most are located in rural parts of northeast Bell County.