William Harris Reservoir Dam

OFF CH-OYSTER CREEK· Brazoria, Texas· Built 1947· Earth· 9 ft tall
High Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

William Harris Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 9 ft (taller than 2.7% in TX)
Dam Length37,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage15.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.0K acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge2 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDTX01753

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 22, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of William Harris Reservoir Dam?

William Harris Reservoir Dam 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 William Harris Reservoir Dam?

William Harris Reservoir Dam is owned by THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was William Harris Reservoir Dam built?

William Harris Reservoir Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 William Harris Reservoir Dam?

William Harris Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is William Harris Reservoir Dam?

William Harris Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 9 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 William Harris Reservoir Dam last inspected?

William Harris Reservoir Dam was last inspected on May 22, 2019. 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.