Lake Gonzales Dam
Lake Gonzales Dam is an earth dam located in Gonzales County, Texas, built in 1931. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Lake Gonzales Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Gonzales Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Guadalupe-blanco River Authority (state). It impounds the Guadalupe River.
The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 2,170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 696 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 28,070 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,058 square miles. Completed in 1931, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/15/2024.
At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Texas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Texas |
| County | Gonzales |
| River/Stream | Guadalupe River |
| Coordinates | 29.49582, -97.62449 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,170 ft |
| Year Completed | 1931 (95 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 28,070 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 28,070 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 696 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,058 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 02/15/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX01912 |
| Federal ID | TX01912 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |