Lake Gladewater Dam

GLADE CREEK· Upshur, Texas· Built 1952· Earth· 38 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Gladewater Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1952 and is 74 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 38 ft (taller than 82.5% in TX)
Dam Length1,203 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage12.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage7.0K acre-ft
Surface Area435 acres
Drainage Area44 sq mi
Max Discharge35,819 cfs
Year Completed1952 (74 years old)
NID IDTX03725

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: August 30, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF GLADEWATER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Gladewater Dam?

Lake Gladewater 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 Lake Gladewater Dam?

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

When was Lake Gladewater Dam built?

Lake Gladewater Dam was completed in 1952, making it 74 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 Lake Gladewater Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Gladewater Dam?

Lake Gladewater Dam has a dam height of 38 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 Lake Gladewater Dam last inspected?

Lake Gladewater Dam was last inspected on August 30, 2022. 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.