Nelson Lake Dam

TR-EAST ELM CREEK· Medina, Texas· Built 1970· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Nelson Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 7.4% in TX)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage65 acre-ft
Normal Storage52 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDTX04167

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
State Regulated: No

Ownership

SG NELSON ESTATE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nelson Lake Dam?

Nelson Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Nelson Lake Dam?

Nelson Lake Dam is owned by SG NELSON ESTATE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nelson Lake Dam built?

Nelson 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 Nelson Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Nelson Lake Dam?

Nelson Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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.

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.