Lake Wood Dam

About Lake Wood Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Wood Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Guadalupe-blanco River Authority (state). It impounds the Guadalupe River near Gonzales.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 6,450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 488 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 27,450 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,110 square miles. Completed in 1931, 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. 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 02/15/2024.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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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