Bess Lake Dam

WILLOW CREEK· Leon, Texas· Built 1964· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Bess Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 77.6% in TX)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage179 acre-ft
Normal Storage117 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDTX04928

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: No

Ownership

ROBERT BESS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bess Lake Dam?

Bess Lake 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 Bess Lake Dam?

Bess Lake Dam is owned by ROBERT BESS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bess Lake Dam built?

Bess Lake Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Bess Lake Dam?

Bess Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bess Lake Dam?

Bess Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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.