Canton Old City Lake Dam

TR-DRY CREEK· Van Zandt, Texas· Built 1930· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Canton Old City Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 25.8% in TX)
Dam Length695 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage220 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge1,783 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDTX04400

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 30, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF CANTON

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Canton Old City Lake Dam?

Canton Old City Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Canton Old City Lake Dam?

Canton Old City Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF CANTON (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Canton Old City Lake Dam built?

Canton Old City Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Canton Old City Lake Dam?

Canton Old City Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Canton Old City Lake Dam?

Canton Old City Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Canton Old City Lake Dam last inspected?

Canton Old City Lake Dam was last inspected on November 30, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.