Hand Lake Dam

TR-MURCHISON CREEK· Van Zandt, Texas· Built 1953· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Hand Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 6.1% in TX)
Dam Length620 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage338 acre-ft
Normal Storage127 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDTX02799

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: July 13, 1988
State Regulated: No

Ownership

TED HAND

Private

Nearby Dams

Collins Dam

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Paradise Valley Ranch Lake Dam

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High Hazard 28 ft

Bass Lake Dam

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Callender Lake Dam

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Hickory Hills Lake Dam

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Wise Lake Dam

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Tony Price Dam

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Williams Lake Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Hand Lake Dam?

Hand 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 Hand Lake Dam?

Hand Lake Dam is owned by TED HAND (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Hand Lake Dam built?

Hand Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Hand Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Hand Lake Dam?

Hand Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Hand Lake Dam last inspected?

Hand Lake Dam was last inspected on July 13, 1988. 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.