William Harris Reservoir Dam
William Harris Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Brazoria County, Texas, built in 1947. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About William Harris Reservoir Dam
William Harris Reservoir Dam is a dam in Brazoria, Texas. The dam is owned by The Dow Chemical Company (private). It impounds the Off Ch-oyster Creek.
The dam stands 9 feet tall and stretches 37,000 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 15,345 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1947, 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 05/22/2019.
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 | Brazoria |
| River/Stream | Off Ch-oyster Creek |
| Coordinates | 29.22953, -95.51239 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Height | 9 ft |
| Dam Length | 37,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1947 (79 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 15,345 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 15,345 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,000 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 05/22/2019 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX01753 |
| Federal ID | TX01753 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |