Pierce Lake Dam

TR-BLANCO RIVER· Hays, Texas· Built 1974· Earth· 37 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Pierce Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 80.8% in TX)
Dam Length390 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage670 acre-ft
Normal Storage209 acre-ft
Surface Area19 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3,626 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDTX01593

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
Last Inspection: December 1, 1983
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

LEWIS PIERCE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pierce Lake Dam?

Pierce 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 Pierce Lake Dam?

Pierce Lake Dam is owned by LEWIS PIERCE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pierce Lake Dam built?

Pierce Lake Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Pierce Lake Dam?

Pierce Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pierce Lake Dam?

Pierce Lake Dam has a dam height of 37 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 Pierce Lake Dam last inspected?

Pierce Lake Dam was last inspected on December 1, 1983. 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.