Sheldon Reservoir Dam
Sheldon Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Harris County, Texas, built in 1944. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Sheldon Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Sheldon Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Texas Parks And Wildlife Department (state). It impounds the Carpenters Bayou near Channelview.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 36,600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,679 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21,138 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1944, 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 02/20/2024.
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 | Harris |
| Nearest City | Channelview |
| River/Stream | Carpenters Bayou |
| Coordinates | 29.85394, -95.16725 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 36,600 ft |
| Year Completed | 1944 (82 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 21,138 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21,138 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5,354 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,679 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,033 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 02/20/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03415 |
| Federal ID | TX03415 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |