Bell Branch Ranch Dam

BELL BRANCH· Ellis, Texas· Built 1965· Earth· 40 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bell Branch Ranch Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 40 ft (taller than 84.9% in TX)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage550 acre-ft
Normal Storage288 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDTX01240

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

BELL BRANCH RANCH VAN C ELLIS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bell Branch Ranch Dam?

Bell Branch Ranch Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bell Branch Ranch Dam?

Bell Branch Ranch Dam is owned by BELL BRANCH RANCH VAN C ELLIS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bell Branch Ranch Dam built?

Bell Branch Ranch Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bell Branch Ranch Dam?

Bell Branch Ranch Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bell Branch Ranch Dam?

Bell Branch Ranch Dam has a dam height of 40 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.