Gibson Lake Dam

BURROWS BRANCH· Nacogdoches, Texas· Built 1955· Earth· 14 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Gibson Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 14 ft (taller than 12.5% in TX)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage37 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDTX09002

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: March 19, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

BECKY CANTY;KARL GIBSON

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gibson Lake Dam?

Gibson 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 Gibson Lake Dam?

Gibson Lake Dam is owned by BECKY CANTY;KARL GIBSON (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gibson Lake Dam built?

Gibson Lake Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Gibson Lake Dam?

Gibson 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 Gibson Lake Dam?

Gibson Lake Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Gibson Lake Dam last inspected?

Gibson Lake Dam was last inspected on March 19, 2019. 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.