Brown Dam

COW CREEK· McMullen, Texas· Built 1955· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Brown Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 33.5% in TX)
Dam Length3,060 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage192 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDTX03043

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
Last Inspection: April 13, 1977
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

SAN JOSE CATTLE COMPANY

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brown Dam?

Brown 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 Brown Dam?

Brown Dam is owned by SAN JOSE CATTLE COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brown Dam built?

Brown Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Brown Dam?

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

How tall is Brown Dam?

Brown 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 Brown Dam last inspected?

Brown Dam was last inspected on April 13, 1977. 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.