O. C. Fisher Dam -- San Angelo TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Benchmark Blasterz
N 31° 29.058 W 100° 28.947
14R E 359189 N 3484228
What used to be a flood control dam that provided water supplies to cities, recreation for tourists and flood control for the area is now high and dry as the Texas drought stretches into its third year (2013)
Waymark Code: WMJNYJ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 12/10/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member GT.US
Views: 5

The waymark coordinates are for the spillway intake structure of the O. C. Fisher Dam, now high and dry. As of 7 Dec 2013, Lake O. C. Fisher was 2.6% full, almost 52 feet low. That is actually an improvement: 3 months ago the lake was 0.3% full, almost 59 feet low. Source: Water Data for Texas (visit link)

Blasterz had a great time walking along the dam, but we recommend future waymarkers take plenty of water. It's a long dam, and it gets hot in West Texas, even in the spring.

From the US Army Corps of Engineers: (visit link)

"The O. C. Fisher Dam and Lake project is located in Tom Green County, on the
North Concho River, near the city of San Angelo, Texas. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1941 and 1944. The Upper Colorado River Authority is the sponsor for water supply.

The project consists of: an earth embankment (40,885 feet long and 128 feet high); an uncontrolled spillway 1,150 feet long; six (7.5 foot x 14.5 foot) gate-controlled intakes; and, two flood control conduits
18 feet in diameter.

Seven recreation areas comprise 4,710 acres. Flood control storage is 276,900 acre-feet and water supply storage is 79,500 acre-feet. 2011 visitation totaled 510,514 visitor hours. "

From Wikipedia: (visit link)

"O.C. Fisher Reservoir (also known as O.C. Fisher Lake, formerly known as San Angelo Lake) is an artificial lake located west of the town of San Angelo, Texas. With the financial support of the Upper Colorado River Authority, construction on the dam to form the reservoir was begun by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1947 and the lake was officially impounded in 1952. Originally named San Angelo Lake, the reservoir was renamed in 1975 for local U.S. Congressman O.C. Fisher, to honor his 23 years of service in the United States Congress.

O.C. Fisher Reservoir was established to provide flood control and a secondary drinking water source for San Angelo and the surrounding communities in Tom Green County. The lake also serves as a recreational venue for fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam and reservoir are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which leases 7,677 acres of the surrounding shoreline to Texas Parks and Wildlife, for San Angelo State Park.

Due to the 2011 drought affecting Texas, the water had taken on a reddish hue. The red color was caused by the bacteria Chromatiaceae, which was thriving in the oxygen-deprived water. As of March 2012, the reservoir has 0 acre-feet remaining and is officially at 0% capacity."
Waterway where the dam is located: North Concho River

Main use of the Water Dam: Flood Control

Material used in the structure: embankment

Height of Dam: 128 feet

Date built: 01/01/1952

Fishing Allowed: yes

Motor Sports Allowed: yes

Visit Instructions:
Photo of the Dam and a description of your visit.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
Benchmark Blasterz visited O. C. Fisher Dam -- San Angelo TX 05/27/2013 Benchmark Blasterz visited it
WalksfarTX visited O. C. Fisher Dam -- San Angelo TX 12/29/2012 WalksfarTX visited it

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