Lake Bastrop Dam

Lake Bastrop Dam is an earth dam located in Bastrop County, Texas, built in 1964. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Bastrop Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Bastrop Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lower Colorado River Authority (local government). It impounds the Spicer Creek near Bastrop.

The dam stands 88 feet tall and stretches 4,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 244 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 24,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1964, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/17/2022.

At 88 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateTexas
CountyBastrop
Nearest CityBastrop
River/StreamSpicer Creek
Coordinates30.15284, -97.29134

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height88 ft
Dam Height88 ft
Dam Length4,000 ft
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage24,700 acre-ft
Max Storage24,700 acre-ft
Normal Storage16,590 acre-ft
Surface Area244 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge17,612 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerLOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection11/17/2022
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDTX02718
Federal IDTX02718
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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