Wells Branch Mills Pond Dam
Wells Branch Mills Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Travis County, Texas, built in 1995. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Wells Branch Mills Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Wells Branch Mills Pond Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Wells Branch Mud (local government). It impounds the Tr-wells Branch near Austin.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1995, the structure is 31 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/05/2020.
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 | Travis |
| Nearest City | Austin |
| River/Stream | Tr-wells Branch |
| Coordinates | 30.45005, -97.68017 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1995 (31 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 12 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,213 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | WELLS BRANCH MUD |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/05/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX06694 |
| Federal ID | TX06694 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |