Bear Branch Lake Dam
Bear Branch Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Montgomery County, Texas, built in 1983. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bear Branch Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Bear Branch Lake Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by San Jacinto River Authority (local government). It impounds the Bear Branch near The Woodlands.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 2,569 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 66 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,808 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 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 10/03/2022.
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 | Montgomery |
| Nearest City | The Woodlands |
| River/Stream | Bear Branch |
| Coordinates | 30.19712, -95.53596 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,569 ft |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,808 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,808 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 66 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 16,101 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/03/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX05878 |
| Federal ID | TX05878 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |