Brown County Water
Improvement District No. 1
501 E. Baker
Brownwood, Texas 76801
p: (325) 643-2609
f: (325) 646-3031
About the Brown County WID No. 1
History Milestones
Return to District History Page
First record of discussions of a dam on the Pecan Bayou occurred in the 1890's. In his diary, Leecy Watson says the discussions began in 1890 with financing to be provided by "British capitalists", but all plans collapsed with the "panic" (financial) of 1892. T. R. Havins in his book "Something About Brown" says the first discussions took place in 1894-1895.
September 29, 1925
In the early 1900's, the water committee of the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce became the driving force behind an effort to build a dam and reservoir. On September 29, 1925 the City of Brownwood filed an affidavit with the State Board of Water Engineers for a feasibility study of the construction of a dam at the juncture of Pecan Bayou and Jim Ned Creek, a place known locally as the Narrows. This locations is almost 8 miles northwest of the City.
November 20, 1926
An election was held in Brownwood for the purpose of setting up a water improvement district, electing five directors and authorizing the issue of $80,000.00 in notes.
November 27, 1926
The Commissioners Court of Brown County met and canvassed the vote and found the vote in favor of the issues. They then ordered Brown County Water Improvement District No. One formed. Directors elected were J. R. Looney, F. S. Abney, F. W. Greber, C. M. Carpenter, and H. G. Lucas. All of these men were members of the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Water Committee. The first meeting of the Board of Directors of BCWID#1 was held in the Brown County Courthouse on the afternoon of November 27, 1926.
March 18, 1927
BCWID#1 approved a covenant/agreement with the City of Brownwood to assume all functions and responsibilities pursuant to the feasibility study filed by the City with the Texas Board of Water Engineers on September 29, 1925 and to file on or before March 28, 1927, an application to construct a dam to wit:
"BCWID#1 shall construct a reservoir for the use and benefit of all the territory therein including C.O.B. Water uses to include city water, supply for domestic and commercial purpose, for irrigation of 50,000 acres of land, for power purposes, and other lawful purposes" "C.O.B. will transfer to BCWID#1 its right to appropriate the waters of said streams sought in its presentation pending before the State Board of Water Engineers."
March 1927
BCWID#1 filed an application with the State Board of Water Engineers to build a reservoir on the Pecan Bayou at its confluence with Jim Ned Creek, to impound 500,000 acre feet of water to be used for municipal, industrial, and power purposes and for irrigation of 47,895 acres of land.
BCWID#1 was opposed by the Syndicate Power Company of Chicago, which had a permit to build a series of dams in Burnet County and held a claim to nearly all the waters of the Colorado River. Additional opposition came from rice growers on the Gulf Coast.
April 9, 1927
W. A. Bell and Brooke Smith appointed to make an evaluation of land needed for reservoir to be compensated one cent per acre for the appraisal.
April 13, 1927
Advertised for applications to withdraw or ask for inclusion in District. Problems developed with landowners near the City wanting to withdraw from the District.
April 26, 1927
Values reported cultivated land $60 per acre, land subject to cultivation $35 per acre, pasture and rough land $15 per acre. Need 10,000 acres for bed of lake, 4,500 acres for shore, 14,500 acres valued at $417,000 for land acquisition.
September 1, 1927
The State Board of Water Engineers decided BCWID#1 could build a reservoir with a capacity of 125,000 acre feet of water. From this reservoir the District could take 16,800 acre feet of water per year for municipal use and 50,590 acre feet of water per year to irrigate 25,965 acres of land located in the District.
February 9, 1928
J. A. Welty resigns and District engineer D. W. Ross appointed to replace Welty. NOTE: Ross laid out the District, the reservoir, and the flood easement. He designed the dam and spillway, and oversaw the construction.
July 22, 1928
After failure to negotiate an agreement with the Syndicated Power Co., BCWID#1 asked the State Board to issue the 125,000 acre foot permit thereby giving up its fight for the larger 500,000 acre foot reservoir.
September 10, 1928
5,500 acres removed from District petition by owners.
September 11, 1928
D. W. Ross reports removal of above lands makes irrigation of 3,000 additional acres not possible and recommends reducing planned irrigable acres to 14,000.
September 12, 1928
Board approves 14,000 irrigable acres for District.
September 15, 1928
Citizens National Bank, chosen as depository, agreed to pay 2% per annum on the average daily balance of all accounts to be compounded monthly and paid monthly.
October 14, 1928
First total valuation of all property within the District approved at $7,400,000. Total District improvements set at $2,000,000. $80,000 in notes issued to pay cost of organizing District, the cost of all surveys, investigations, engineering, issuance of bonds, making and filing of maps and reports, legal expenses connected therewith and other costs and expenses. Interest was paid 6% per year all to mature 10/25/38, tax rate 10 cents per $100 valuation in 1928 and 20 cents per $100 in 1928 and thereafter.
October 25, 1928
Called an election for December 4, 1928 to approve issuance of $2,500,000 bonds; $1,424,000 for dam and reservoir, $996,000 District system, and $80,000 above and set up 5 precincts within the District.
November 24, 1928
This is the first meeting the advisory board is mentioned. Members of the advisory board present were R. B. Rodgers, Ward McConnell, W. Lee Watson and Mr. R. A. Thompson, Advisory Engineer (grandfather of Bob Thompson, design engineer for the 1984 improvements to Lake Brownwood Dam). R. B. Rodgers was named chairman of the advisory board. All of these men, except R. A. Thompson, served on the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Water Committee. A. C. Bratton, who was not present, also served on the advisory board and had been a member of the Chamber water committee.
December 11, 1928
Votes of December 4 election canvassed as follows:
Precinct
For
Against
1
268
40
2
347
33
3
490
40
4
585
68
5
51
3
Totals
1,741
184
February 14, 1929
Board authorized 5 1/2% bonds dated 2/15/29 payable each February 15th and August 15th from 1933 to 1961 at National Bank of Commerce in New York City, New York/bond denomination $1,000, total principal amount $2,500,000. Authorized Judge Starley to file validating suit in District Court (a statutory requirement at that time).
March 1, 1929
The board found the bond market unfavorable in early 1929 and by August decided to sell $500,000 in notes to BrownCrummer Investment Co. of Kansas City thereby holding the 2.5 million in bonds for a better market. Brown-Crummer was represented by Mr. M. R. Smith, father of Joe Smith the very able fiscal advisor used by BCWID#1 beginning in 1980 and continuing through 1999 and beyond.
On August 12, 1929 the board approved a valuation of the District of $13,807,023 submitted by Board of Evaluation members E. M. Boon, A. M. Weedon, and B. L. Shropshire at a rate of 10 cents per $100.
September 13, 1929
D. W. Ross was authorized to establish a 1425 and 1435 line to reservoir lands. NOTE: The ten vertical feet between 1425msl and 1435 msl was acquired either in easement or fee simple to serve as flood storage.
October 29, 1929
NOTE: This date referred to as Black Thursday is the day the stock market crashed. This signaled the beginning of the longest and deepest economic depression in the history of the United States. Some of the mileposts included hereafter are used to show the struggle the District and the people of Brown County faced to survive this period. These hardships were common to the entire country, and for that matter the world.
November 9, 1929
Judge C. L. McCartney was named the District's attorney in all matters, $400 per month for the period of 1/1/1929 to 1/1/1931.
December 2, 1929
First purchase of land for reservoir made, 1300 acres bought, 1800 acres in negotiation. Some landowners holding out for a better price. $30.00 an acre authorized for Weedon land if not available for less.
January 20, 1930
First mention of condemning land (Cox & Mclnnis). Board to meet with purchase committee on 1/27/30 (no minutes of same).
February 10, 1930
D. W. Ross contract approved, $500 per month beginning January 1930 to time of advertising for bids on construction of dam, then $900 per month thereafter.
March 14, 1930
First condemnation approved, Cox & Mclnnis tract at the dam, Dave Cox and Cox Mclnnis upper tract, Top Windham, Sam Windham, Gus Mclnnis and Mclnnis sisters.
May 7, 1930
Resolution to condemn W. M. Baugh tract approved.
June 17, 1930
George Baugh tract condemned.
September 15, 1930
Approved calling for sealed construction bids to be opened 11/16/30 at 2:00 p.m. with the following estimated quantities:
Dam embankment 730,000 cubic yards Excavation for cut-off trench and for conduits 96,000 cubic yards Riprap 15,000 cubic yards Gravel blanket 5,000 cubic yards Rock fill 5,000 cubic yards Concrete in Conduits/gate wells and gate house 7,500 cubic yards Concrete in Spillway Channel 3,600 cubic yards Steel sheet piling 8,000 square feet Reinforcing Steel 1,344,000 pounds
October 31, 1930
R. A. Thompson, Jr. hired as resident engineer.
November 6, 1930
Nineteen bids received, highest bid
S. J. Grorers & Co., Minneapolis, Minn.
$896,296.25
3 low bids
Gifford Hill & Co., Inc, (Dallas) - L. H. Lacy Co., Inc.
$597,377.30
Stevens Brothers (Sellars, LA) & Miller-Hutchinson
$595,392.00
Standard Paving Co. (Tulsa, OK), Ft. Worth office
$590,003.00
November 13, 1930
Dam construction bid awarded to Standard Paving.
December 2, 1930
First request from landowner not part of original survey to join District - Sterling C. and Jean Holloway granted 55.7 acres.
January 12, 1931
First mention of severe economic conditions, Jean Holloway secretary for Brownwood Relief Association. Four applicants for every job available. Work of clearing brush now underway, paid for by District taxes, Board instructs Mr. Ross to hire only applicants residing in District. NOTE: This was looked on locally as Brown County's own works progress administration (one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's depression recovery programs). This work along with jobs provided by the dam construction lasted through 1932, preceding the "new deal" which began with Roosevelt's inauguration in March of 1933.
January 19, 1931
Called for bids on 5 steel or cast iron sluice gates and head gates, together with gate frames, guides, stems. and all necessary lifting mechanism..
March 23, 1931
Sluice gate contract awarded to Philips & Davis of Canton, Ohio, $21,750.
June 27, 1931
District offers to pay 1/2 cost of restoring roads and bridges having to be adjusted because of reservoir, offers up to $40,000 for their part of bridge on the new Brownwood/Cross Plains road at the Turner Road.
August 13, 1931
Board approved subcontract from Standard Paving Co. to James Spencer & Son Construction Company for earthwork, riprap, and rock covering of the dam.
October 7, 1931
Board appointed committee to designate a depository of District funds "due to pending adjustments of the affairs of Citizens National Bank".
October 8, 1931
Depository committee reported the officers of the First National Bank of Brownwood had declined to qualify as a depository for the District so a resolution was passed naming Republic National Bank and Trust Company of Dallas, Texas, as depository and giving as a reason for the transfer, "it appears that Citizens National Bank of Brownwood, Texas has suspended payment".
October 12, 1931
Financial report showed only $890,000 worth of the authorized $2,500,000 in bonds had been sold and the tax rate was set at 90 cents per $100 valuation.
November 6, 1931
Fiscal agent, M. H. Smith, discussed uncollected taxes and their effect on any future bond sales.
December 9, 1931
Brown County accepted the District's proposal on road and bridge relocation ($45,000) and to bring the Cross Cut Road into town on Belle Plain. District advanced $10,000.
January 27, 1931
D. W. Farmer's contract as tax assessor collector of the District not renewed. C. L. McCartney's contract ordered renegotiated.
February 10, 1932
The Lions Club requests the board secure a supply of fish from the State Fish Hatchery in the spring of 1932. District gave up two rooms to reduce rent to $67.20 per month. C. L. McCartney's contract reduced to $250 per month through July 1932.
February 23, 1932
Herman Bettis selected tax assessor collector for term to 3/5/32 at $125 per month.
April 29, 1932
Reports caretakers cottage and gate house construction to start soon.
July 3, 1932
Flood fills reservoir causing damage to the 144" flood tubes installed through the dam.
July 14, 1932
Board denied liability for damage to a tract of land at Byrd's Store caused by recent flood. Board is totally enmeshed in financial problems.
July 30, 1932
Board hired W. H. Nalder recommended by the chief engineer of the U. S. Reclamation Service to evaluate damage to the dam and propose repairs.
August 11, 1932
Nalder recommended erecting a steel tower and moving the gates from the center of the dam to its upstream face.
September 27, 1932
Board approves sale of $1,057,000 bonds @ 5 1/2%, $300,000 6% notes, tax rate set $1.15 + 5 cents operation and mat. fund.
October 19, 1932
J. B. Klein Iron & Foundry Co. awarded bid for steel to repair draw down tubes and gates, accepted $3,000 in District bonds as part of payment.
November 1, 1932
Applied to Reconstruct Finance Corp.for $8,000 loan to complete work on dam and secure remaining land needed.
December 29, 1932
Ross reported RFC loan must be paid back with funds raised from source other than taxes. Suggest charging City for storing adequate water for City's needs in District reservoir. NOTE: There is no indication this loan was ever approved.
May 2, 1933
Ed G. Hall hired as keeper for the dam and reservoir property, $75 plus house per month, no extra.
May 19, 1933
Marvin Nichols appeared to help mediate final payment to the dam contractors. Marvin Nichols was President of Freese and Nichols Consulting Engineers, the pre-eminent water engineers for West and North Texas for all of the 20th century. BCWID#1 has used Freese and Nichols exclusively for more than 60 years.
July 6, 1933
Mr. David H. Henley, president of the local chapter of the Izack Walton League of America discussed recreation possibilities at the new lake and got permission for league members to give the people of Brownwood tours of the lake in the District's boat.
August 14, 1933
Gate operation not satisfactory/sent for factory representative. Possibility of a state park discussed.
August 28, 1933
First application to finance water distribution and irrigation system in the amount of $1,950,000 filed with Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works.
June 27, 1934
Board signs contract to sell 1400 acre feet of water to Gulf Coast Water Company for the sum of $10,000. Water to be discharged into Pecan Bayou at the Lake Brownwood Dam and delivered via the Colorado River to the buyers pumping plants in Wharton and Matagorda Counties. At this date there were no intervening dams on the Colorado.
July 8, 1934
District directors meet to discuss trouble with the north sluice gate and the manner in which it might be closed. The gate could not be closed and the lake was emptied.
September 4, 1934
District approves Philips and Davis, Inc., Canton, Ohio, to prepare plans to repair sluice gates. NOTE: Rumor perpetuated for more than fifty years that the gates were welded shut at this time and never used again. Contrary to rumor, the gates were exercised annually until 1942 at which time the vibration caused by the lift motors became so great that the gates were not opened again until 1983 when the tubes were reduced from 144" to 42" and new gates installed.
October 1, 1934
Final payment made to Standard Paving Co. for construction of the dam.
September 11, 1937
The District entered into a contract with Brown-Crummer Investment Company to provide $600,000 in bonds payable from 4/1/40 to 4/1/52 to provide funds to build a delivery canal from Lake Brownwood to Round Mountain, also a 4mgd treatment plant, and all necessary laterals to the irrigation district. The District further agreed to provide Brown-Crummer $1,493,300 in bonds payable from 9/1/53 to 9/1/69 to refund the District's original bonds (same having been in some stage of default since August 1933).
October 2, 1937
The District received notice from the Public Works Administration that a grant of $450,000 was officially given to construct the above facilities.
October 4, 1937
The District entered into a contract with the City of Brownwood to build the above facilities and supply 600,000,000 gallons of water per year for $25,000.00, any excess to be charged at 3 1/2 cents per 1000 gallons. If the City of Brownwood called for less than 600,000,000 gallons annually, they were to pay no less than $25,000 in any calendar year. Payments to be made by the 20th of each calendar month in the minimum amount of $2,083.34. The term of the contract to be 30 years from the date of the first connection. The City of Brownwood was faced with expanding outdated treatment because of growth. The District had to provide revenue from a source other than taxes to secure the PWA grant.
February 19, 1942
The District entered into a contract with Mitchell Darby Inc. of Houston, Texas to construct a 4mgd expansion to the treatment plant to supply need of the U. S. Army facilities at Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas. NOTE: As many as 70,000 troops were stationed at Camp Bowie at various times between 1942 and 1945.
November 13, 1956
Bureau of Reclamation representative, Mr. Seipt, appeared to discuss the Bureau's interest in construction of irrigation facilities on land east of the Pecan Bayou seeking annexation into BCWID#1. He stated "the Bureau of Reclamation would probably not be interested in constructing a project unless the water supply was assured with particular reference to the stability of the dam creating Lake Brownwood". Board members discussion with Mr. Seipt developed the understanding that "stability of the dam" possibly referred to the ability of the lake and spillway to contain and discharge the maximum designed flood (this reference probably means the PMF) without over topping the dam, rather than referring to the stability of the dam itself. Mr. Seipt before leaving stated the Bureau would contact the Corps of Engineers and they would continue to work on the project. The Bureau's contact with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers began a twenty-two year struggle to maintain local control of Lake Brownwood and deny the Corps' effort to breach the old dam and build a new one.
September 10, 1977
A called board meeting was held at 11:30 a.m. to address restoration of service after a catastrophic landslide occurred on the north end of the Taber Ranch. On a hill at this location the base under the District's delivery aqueduct moved four feet which resulted in a 400' section of the main canal splitting and washing away. During the five days it took to install 400' of 36" plastic pipe, District pumps transported water around the break through 16" butyl tubing supplying bare minimum needs for Brownwood and Early. This event began the complete rebuilding of the District's infrastructure.
December 12, 1977
District approved a resolution and filing fee requesting the Texas Water Commission to convert the District into a Municipal Utility District. NOTE: This facilitated fast track funding for multiple projects mandated by various state offices including the office of the Governor of the State of Texas, The Texas Health Department, and the Texas Water Commission.
Beginning in 1978
The District planned and implemented a comprehensive, phased improvement program that included:
Phase I
Investigation of Lake Brownwood Dam
$ 230,000
Phase II
Construction of a Permanent Auxiliary Pipeline and Pump Station
$1,175,000
Phase III
Construction of Dam Improvements and Outlet Works
$4,975,000
Phase IV
Construction of a Main Gravity Pipeline and Pump Station
$4,500,000
Phase V
Treatment Plant Renovation and Expansion
$5,120,000
TOTAL
$17,265,000
Phase I
The investigation of the Lake Brownwood Dam was brought on by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers issuing a "Red Jacket Report" (condemnation) on our dam in April 1978. The report said the dam was structurally unsafe and would not retard the probable maximum flood (P.M.F. 500 year frequency rain). The District hired a team of three engineering firms to do the study the Department of Water Resources had ordered the District to do. Their engineering specialties were soils investigation, dam design, and international earthen dam inspection. The results of their investigation showed the dam was not structurally unsafe, but that it could retard only 60% of the P.M.F.; therefore, a project to correct this fault had to be undertaken. PHASE I COMPLETED NOVEMBER 1979.
Phase II
The auxiliary pump station and pipeline can deliver to the treatment plant 16,000,000 gallons of water per day (16mgd). It has two partially open impeller pumps with a bay for a third and flows through a 30" steel cylinder concrete pipe for a distance of 3.3 miles from Pecan Bayou at Riverside Park to the treatment plant. Its purpose is to supply water to the treatment plant while the main delivery system was under construction, to be used if the mail delivery system is interrupted, and to phase in as part of the total delivery system around the year 2010 if growth projections are correct. PHASE II COMPLETED APRIL 1980.
Phase III
Construction of dam improvements and outlet works included an increase in the height of the dam from 1450'msl to 1470'msl, and outlet modifications. 650,000 cubic yards of fill material was moved from the Baugh Ranch across the spillway to the dam. This fill increased the mass of the dam by 1 /3 and increased by 20' the height of the dam.
It will now hold back the P.M.F. and release it at a rate not detrimental to Brownwood, Early and others downstream. Two old flood release tubes were reduced from 144" diameter to 42" for use as feeders to either the Bayou and thence to the auxiliary system, or to the main delivery system. The old aqueduct feeder was replaced with a 42" pipe to feed the main delivery system. The three 42" intakes are located on the lake side of the dam at elevations 17', 55', and 65' respectively below spillway level. PHASE III COMPLETED AUGUST 1983.
Phase IV
Construction of the main gravity pipeline and pump station. The pipeline is constructed of steel cylinder concrete pipe and is slightly over 10 miles in length. It is 42" in size from the dam to a point about one-quarter of a mile from Highway 279 on the lake road. There it reduces to 36" for the rest of the distance to the treatment plant. Three major irrigation laterals including the one supplying the City of Early take off the pipeline before the reduction to 36". The pipeline is a combination gravity, pressure line, flowing 11 mgd by gravity with the lake at spillway level and flowing up to 32 mgd with highest demand pump combinations. There are also installed on the pipeline two major pressure reducing valve stations to protect the two largest of our old irrigation laterals. The pump station has one low head pump with 17 mgd capacity and three high head pumps to produce the 32 mgd. Pump installation was designed to operate at maximum energy efficiency with the ideal yearly operation as follows:
| Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. |
May |
June July Aug. |
Sept. |
Oct. Nov. Dec. |
| < Gravity > |
low hd pump |
Combination High Hd Pumps |
low hd Pump |
< Gravity > |
The system is totally automated and pumps can be brought on line or shut off from either the pump station at the dam or from the treatment plant. PHASE IV COMPLETED NOVEMBER 1983.
PHASE V
Treatment plant renovation and expansion.
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