Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam

TR-NORTH COW BAYOU· McLennan, Texas· Built 1965· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 35 ft (taller than 77.6% in TX)
Dam Length5,520 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage134 acre-ft
Surface Area27 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge2,458 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDTX04090

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: July 17, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

MCLENNAN COUNTY;MCLENNAN COUNTY SWCD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 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 Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam is owned by MCLENNAN COUNTY;MCLENNAN COUNTY SWCD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam built?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 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 Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 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.

When was Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam last inspected?

Cow Bayou WS SCS Site 29 Dam was last inspected on July 17, 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.