Dawson Lake Dam

TR-MCDONALD CREEK· Walker, Texas· Built 1970· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Dawson Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 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 21 ft (taller than 38.8% in TX)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage102 acre-ft
Normal Storage72 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge2 cfs
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDTX07086

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: February 24, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF HUNTSVILLE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dawson Lake Dam?

Dawson 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 Dawson Lake Dam?

Dawson Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF HUNTSVILLE (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dawson Lake Dam built?

Dawson Lake Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Dawson Lake Dam?

Dawson Lake 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 Dawson Lake Dam?

Dawson Lake Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Dawson Lake Dam last inspected?

Dawson Lake Dam was last inspected on February 24, 2022. 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.