Big Creek Dam (Jim Chapman Lake)

Field Descriptions

Dam Name: Big Creek Dam
NID ID: TX06314
Longitude: -95.6917
Latitude: 33.3917
County: DELTA
River: BIG CREEK
State: TX
Owner Name: CITY OF COOPER
Owner Type: Local Government
Dam Designer: HAYTER ENGINEERING INC;HAYTER ENGINEERING INC;HAYTER ENGINEERING INC
Private Dam? No
Dam Type: Earth
Core: Homogeneous Dam (Position)
Earth (Type)
Known (Certainty)
Foundation: RSZ
Purposes: Water Supply
Year Completed: 1987
Year Modified/Mod Type: 2001S;1995S
Dam Length: 4590 feet
Dam Height: 38 feet
Structural Height: 38 feet
Hydraulic Height: 38 feet
Maximum Storage: 6625 acre-feet
Normal Storage: 4890 acre-feet
Surface Area: 15 acres
Hazard Potential: High
Emergency Action Plan? No
Inspection Date: 2011-06-11
Inspection Frequency: 0
State Regulated Dam? Yes
State Regulating Agency: TCEQ
Spillway Type: Uncontrolled
Spillway Width: 880 feet
Outlet Gates: 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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