Developed by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD), the Leon Hurse Dam is being constructed on the North Sulphur River in Fannin County to create Lake Ralph Hall. Once operational, the reservoir will have a storage capacity of approximately 59 billion gallons of water, providing a reliable water supply to 29 communities across North Texas.
Soil-Cement Protection of Spillway Channel
One of the defining features of the project is its use of two proven cement-based construction materials—Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) and Soil-Cement. The spillway incorporates approximately 150,000 cubic yards of RCC and an additional 15,000 cubic yards of conventional concrete, while the earth-fill embankment is protected with approximately 135,000 cubic yards of heavy-duty 10 percent Soil-Cement.
Soil-Cement Placement
At the time of the field tour, the project was entering its final stages and was expected to begin water retention shortly thereafter. Seeing the nearly completed structure firsthand highlighted the successful collaboration among the owner, engineers, contractors, and material suppliers in delivering an infrastructure project that will benefit North Texas for generations.
The Cement Council of Texas congratulates the Upper Trinity Regional Water District, its engineering team, contractors, and project partners on bringing this remarkable project to completion. The Leon Hurse Dam and Lake Ralph Hall stand as an excellent example of how innovative cement-based materials continue to provide resilient, sustainable, and economical solutions for critical infrastructure.
Photo Credits: Josh Gilman of the American Cement Association