Bonita Dam

BONITA CREEK· Atascosa, Texas· Built 1926· Earth· 20 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bonita Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.5% in TX)
Dam Length1,095 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage320 acre-ft
Normal Storage125 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge6,064 cfs
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
NID IDTX03165

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: February 17, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

NV GALA FARMING AND RANCHING COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bonita Dam?

Bonita Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bonita Dam?

Bonita Dam is owned by NV GALA FARMING AND RANCHING COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bonita Dam built?

Bonita Dam was completed in 1926, making it 100 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 Bonita Dam?

Bonita Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bonita Dam?

Bonita Dam has a dam height of 20 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.

When was Bonita Dam last inspected?

Bonita Dam was last inspected on February 17, 2017. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

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.