Lake Hawkins Dam

LITTLE SANDY CREEK· Wood, Texas· Built 1962· Earth· 54 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Hawkins Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 54 ft (taller than 95.3% in TX)
Dam Length1,300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage40.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.9K acre-ft
Surface Area1,064 acres
Drainage Area30 sq mi
Max Discharge28,640 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDTX00920

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 9, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

WOOD COUNTY

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Hawkins Dam?

Lake Hawkins 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 Hawkins Dam?

Lake Hawkins Dam is owned by WOOD COUNTY (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Hawkins Dam built?

Lake Hawkins Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Hawkins Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Hawkins Dam?

Lake Hawkins Dam has a dam height of 54 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 Hawkins Dam last inspected?

Lake Hawkins Dam was last inspected on August 9, 2018. 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.