Plowden Lake Dam

TR-SAN BERNARD RIVER· Austin, Texas· Built 1919· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Plowden Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 7.4% in TX)
Dam Length3,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage196 acre-ft
Normal Storage98 acre-ft
Surface Area35 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
NID IDTX01391

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

JAMES PLOWDEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Plowden Lake Dam?

Plowden 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 Plowden Lake Dam?

Plowden Lake Dam is owned by JAMES PLOWDEN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Plowden Lake Dam built?

Plowden Lake Dam was completed in 1919, making it 107 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 Plowden Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Plowden Lake Dam?

Plowden 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.