Woodlawn Lake Dam

ALAZAN CREEK· Bexar, Texas· Built 1889· Earth· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Woodlawn Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 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 Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage460 acre-ft
Normal Storage77 acre-ft
Surface Area38 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge11,016 cfs
Year Completed1889 (137 years old)
NID IDTX01445

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: September 25, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Woodlawn Lake Dam?

Woodlawn Lake 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 Woodlawn Lake Dam?

Woodlawn Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF SAN ANTONIO (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Woodlawn Lake Dam built?

Woodlawn Lake Dam was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Woodlawn Lake Dam?

Woodlawn 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 Woodlawn Lake Dam?

Woodlawn Lake Dam 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 Woodlawn Lake Dam last inspected?

Woodlawn Lake Dam was last inspected on September 25, 2018. 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.