Rainbow Lake Dam No 1
Key Takeaway
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 | 20 ft (taller than 33.5% in TX) |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 603 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1924 (102 years old) |
| NID ID | TX06345 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
RAINBOW LAKE
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Rainbow Lake Dam No 1?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 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 Rainbow Lake Dam No 1?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 is owned by RAINBOW LAKE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 built?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Rainbow Lake Dam No 1?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 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 Rainbow Lake Dam No 1?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 has a dam height of 20 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 Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 last inspected?
Rainbow Lake Dam No 1 was last inspected on January 23, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.