Lower Lake Dam

TR-GILLEY CREEK· Smith, Texas· Built 1977· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lower Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 77.6% in TX)
Dam Length890 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage81 acre-ft
Normal Storage36 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDTX04436

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: December 11, 1985
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lower Lake Dam?

Lower 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 Lower Lake Dam?

Lower Lake Dam is owned by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lower Lake Dam built?

Lower Lake Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Lower Lake Dam?

Lower 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 Lower Lake Dam?

Lower Lake Dam has a dam height of 35 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 Lower Lake Dam last inspected?

Lower Lake Dam was last inspected on December 11, 1985. 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.