Lake Timpson Dam

BLACKWATER CREEK· Shelby, Texas· Built 1956· Earth· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Timpson Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 67.1% in TX)
Dam Length1,480 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area230 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Max Discharge14,760 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDTX00315

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: October 3, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

SHELBY COUNTY FWSD 1

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Timpson Dam?

Lake Timpson 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 Lake Timpson Dam?

Lake Timpson Dam is owned by SHELBY COUNTY FWSD 1 (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Timpson Dam built?

Lake Timpson Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Timpson Dam?

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

How tall is Lake Timpson Dam?

Lake Timpson Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Timpson Dam last inspected?

Lake Timpson Dam was last inspected on October 3, 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.