Ernst Lake Dam
Ernst Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Gonzales County, Texas, built in 1978. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Ernst Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Ernst Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Elwood Ernst (private). It impounds the Tr-sandies Creek near Smiley.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 2,640 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 230 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 100 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life.
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Location
| State | Texas |
| County | Gonzales |
| Nearest City | Smiley |
| River/Stream | Tr-sandies Creek |
| Coordinates | 29.31000, -97.75000 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,640 ft |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 230 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 230 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 170 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 100 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ELWOOD ERNST |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX06675 |
| Federal ID | TX06675 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |