Dam No 3
Dam No 3 is a gravity dam located in Fort Bend County, Texas, built in 1948. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Dam No 3
The primary purpose of Dam No 3 is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Sugar Land;gulf Coast Water Authority (local government). It impounds the Oyster Creek near Missouri City.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 58 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 114 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 673 acre-feet. Completed in 1948, 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 05/22/2024.
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 | Fort Bend |
| Nearest City | Missouri City |
| River/Stream | Oyster Creek |
| Coordinates | 29.60136, -95.59360 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 58 ft |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 673 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 673 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 405 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 114 acres |
| Max Discharge | 1,751 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | CITY OF SUGAR LAND;GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 05/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX01557 |
| Federal ID | TX01557 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |