Penitas Lake Dam

OFF CH-RIO GRANDE· Hidalgo, Texas· Built 1960· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Penitas Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 7.4% in TX)
Dam Length8,910 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage576 acre-ft
Normal Storage336 acre-ft
Surface Area120 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDTX03787

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: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

TB WAITE JR

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Penitas Lake Dam?

Penitas 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 Penitas Lake Dam?

Penitas Lake Dam is owned by TB WAITE JR (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Penitas Lake Dam built?

Penitas Lake Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Penitas Lake Dam?

Penitas 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 Penitas Lake Dam?

Penitas 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.