Upper Ellison Lake Dam

TR-RIO GRANDE· Starr, Texas· Built 1957· Earth· 10 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Upper Ellison Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 3.8% in TX)
Dam Length1,390 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage148 acre-ft
Normal Storage29 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDTX01700

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

TG ELLISON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Ellison Lake Dam?

Upper Ellison 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 Upper Ellison Lake Dam?

Upper Ellison Lake Dam is owned by TG ELLISON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Ellison Lake Dam built?

Upper Ellison Lake Dam was completed in 1957, making it 69 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 Upper Ellison Lake Dam?

Upper Ellison Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, 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 Upper Ellison Lake Dam?

Upper Ellison Lake Dam has a dam height of 10 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.