Medina Diversion Lake Dam
Medina Diversion Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Medina County, Texas, built in 1913. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Medina Diversion Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Medina Diversion Lake Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Bma Wcid 1 (local government). It impounds the Medina River near Riomedina.
The dam stands 62 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 197 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 649 square miles. Completed in 1913, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/17/2023.
At 62 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Medina |
| Nearest City | Riomedina |
| River/Stream | Medina River |
| Coordinates | 29.51051, -98.90102 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 62 ft |
| Dam Height | 51 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1913 (113 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 197 acres |
| Drainage Area | 649 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 678,414 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | BMA WCID 1 |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 10/17/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX01788 |
| Federal ID | TX01788 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |