Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam

OFF CH-VARNER CREEK· Brazoria, Texas· Built 1967· Earth· 10 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 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 10 ft (taller than 3.8% in TX)
Dam Length16,720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.7K acre-ft
Surface Area279 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDTX01751

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: April 10, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

IMS LEASING CORPORATION;MICHAEL CHAPMAN;VARNER CREEK UTILITY DISTRICT

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir 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 Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam is owned by IMS LEASING CORPORATION;MICHAEL CHAPMAN;VARNER CREEK UTILITY DISTRICT (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam built?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir 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 Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam was last inspected on April 10, 2023. 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.