The lake is formed by a rolled earthfill dam 24,618 ft
long, including spillway. The lake was built for flood
control and water conservation. From Oct. 1, 1964, to Feb.
26, 1965, the lake was operated as a detention basin only.
On Feb. 26, 1965, old Lake Waco was breached and deliberate
impoundment began. The spillway is controlled by fourteen
40.0- by 35.0-foot tainter gates. The outlet works consists
of three gate-controlled outlets, 6.7 by 20.0 ft, opening
into a 20.0-foot-diameter concrete conduit and two 54-inch
concrete pipes. Low-flow releases are made through two
54-inch butterfly values. Flow into two wet wells is
controlled by four 5.0- by 6.0-foot slide gates that are
used to release water downstream for the city of Waco
municipal water supply. Capacity table No. 2-C is based on
a sedimentation survey completed in December 1970. Flow is
affected at times by discharge from the flood- detention
pools of 44 floodwater-retarding structures with a combined
detention capacity of 76,460 acre-ft. These structures
control runoff from 248 miČ in the Bosque River and Hog
Creek drainage basins. An unknown amount of water was
diverted for municipal and industrial uses. Satellite
telemeter at station. Figures given herein represent total
contents. Data regarding the dam and lake are given in the
following table:
Elevation Capacity
(feet) (acre-feet)
Top of dam.................... 510.0 -
Design flood.................. 505.0 824,400
Top of gates.................. 500.0 722,500
Crest of spillway............. 465.0 229,900
Top of conservation pool...... 455.0 149,200
Lowest gated outlet (invert).. 400.0 560
COOPERATION
Records of elevations and contents furnished by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and reviewed by the U.S.
Geological Survey.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD
Maximum contents, 521,100 acre-ft Dec. 24, 1991 (elevation,
488.48 ft); minimum since normal operating level was
reached, 86,360 acre-ft Oct. 8, 1984 (elevation, 445.10
ft).
