Zoo Lake No 2 Dam

About Zoo Lake No 2 Dam

The primary purpose of Zoo Lake No 2 Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Union Pacific Railroad Company (private). It impounds the Tributary Of Rainy Creek.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 129 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/11/2023.

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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