Dairy Barn Lake Dam

SANTA GERTRUDIS CREEK· Kleberg, Texas· Built 1937· Earth· 17 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Dairy Barn Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is fire protection. 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 17 ft (taller than 23.1% in TX)
Dam Length1,360 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage848 acre-ft
Surface Area145 acres
Drainage Area408 sq mi
Max Discharge38,170 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDTX02464

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: May 23, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

KING RANCH INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dairy Barn Lake Dam?

Dairy Barn Lake 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 Dairy Barn Lake Dam?

Dairy Barn Lake Dam is owned by KING RANCH INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dairy Barn Lake Dam built?

Dairy Barn Lake Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Dairy Barn Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Dairy Barn Lake Dam?

Dairy Barn Lake Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Dairy Barn Lake Dam last inspected?

Dairy Barn Lake Dam was last inspected on May 23, 2013. 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.