Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam

About Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Columbia Lakes Reservoir Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ims Leasing Corporation;michael Chapman;varner Creek Utility District (local government). It impounds the Off Ch-varner Creek near West Columbia.

The dam stands 10 feet tall and stretches 16,720 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 279 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,810 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 04/10/2023.

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.

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