Fern Lake Dam

BLACK BAYOU· Nacogdoches, Texas· Built 1890· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Fern Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1890 and is 136 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 25.8% in TX)
Dam Length620 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage329 acre-ft
Normal Storage228 acre-ft
Surface Area37 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1890 (136 years old)
NID IDTX03864

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: April 22, 2009
State Regulated: No

Ownership

FERN LAKE FISHING CLUB INC

Private

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Lake Kurth Dam

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P H Tischhauser Lake Dam

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Yseleta Lake Dam

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Luna Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fern Lake Dam?

Fern Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Fern Lake Dam?

Fern Lake Dam is owned by FERN LAKE FISHING CLUB INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fern Lake Dam built?

Fern Lake Dam was completed in 1890, making it 136 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 Fern Lake Dam?

Fern 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 Fern Lake Dam?

Fern 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 Fern Lake Dam last inspected?

Fern Lake Dam was last inspected on April 22, 2009. 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.