Dam No 3

OYSTER CREEK· Fort Bend, Texas· Built 1948· Gravity· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Dam No 3 is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 16 ft (taller than 19.7% in TX)
Dam Length58 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage673 acre-ft
Normal Storage405 acre-ft
Surface Area114 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge1,751 cfs
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDTX01557

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: March 19, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF SUGAR LAND;GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dam No 3?

Dam No 3 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 Dam No 3?

Dam No 3 is owned by CITY OF SUGAR LAND;GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dam No 3 built?

Dam No 3 was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Dam No 3?

Dam No 3 serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dam No 3?

Dam No 3 has a dam height of 16 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 Dam No 3 last inspected?

Dam No 3 was last inspected on March 19, 2019. 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.