Refinery Dam

TR-BEALS CREEK· Howard, Texas· Built 1976· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Private

Key Takeaway

Refinery Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1976 and is 50 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 67.1% in TX)
Dam Length940 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage263 acre-ft
Surface Area28 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,690 cfs
Year Completed1976 (50 years old)
NID IDTX04800

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: March 5, 1986
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

ALON USA REFINING LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Refinery Dam?

Refinery 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 Refinery Dam?

Refinery Dam is owned by ALON USA REFINING LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Refinery Dam built?

Refinery Dam was completed in 1976, making it 50 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Refinery Dam?

Refinery Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Refinery Dam last inspected?

Refinery Dam was last inspected on March 5, 1986. 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.