Medina Diversion Lake Dam

MEDINA RIVER· Medina, Texas· Built 1913· Gravity· 51 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Medina Diversion Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 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 51 ft (taller than 94.4% in TX)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage3.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.9K acre-ft
Surface Area197 acres
Drainage Area649 sq mi
Max Discharge678,414 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
NID IDTX01788

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: December 19, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

BMA WCID 1

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Medina Diversion Lake Dam?

Medina Diversion 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 Medina Diversion Lake Dam?

Medina Diversion Lake Dam is owned by BMA WCID 1 (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Medina Diversion Lake Dam built?

Medina Diversion Lake Dam was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Medina Diversion Lake Dam?

Medina Diversion 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 Medina Diversion Lake Dam?

Medina Diversion Lake Dam has a dam height of 51 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 Medina Diversion Lake Dam last inspected?

Medina Diversion Lake Dam was last inspected on December 19, 2012. 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.