La Joya Lake Dam

LA JOYA CREEK· Hidalgo, Texas· Built 1955· Earth· 19 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

La Joya Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 19 ft (taller than 30.6% in TX)
Dam Length1,810 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.8K acre-ft
Surface Area357 acres
Drainage Area178 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDTX03792

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 10, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

HIDLAGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT 16

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of La Joya Lake Dam?

La Joya 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 La Joya Lake Dam?

La Joya Lake Dam is owned by HIDLAGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT 16 (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was La Joya Lake Dam built?

La Joya Lake Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 La Joya Lake Dam?

La Joya Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is La Joya Lake Dam?

La Joya Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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 La Joya Lake Dam last inspected?

La Joya Lake Dam was last inspected on February 10, 2015. 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.