Pessink Lake Dam

TR-RODDY BRANCH· Smith, Texas· Earth· 18 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Pessink Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. Its primary use is recreation. 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	18 ft (taller than 25.8% in TX)
Dam Length	525 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	50 acre-ft
Normal Storage	44 acre-ft

Surface Area	7 acres
Drainage Area	0 sq mi
Max Discharge	1 cfs
NID ID	TX07255

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: March 22, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

BRUCE PESSINK;KIM PESSINK

Private

Nearby Dams

Cumberland Lake Dam

Smith, TX

High Hazard 21 ft

Lou Ella Lake Dam

Smith, TX

High Hazard 25 ft

Grove Club Dam

Smith, TX

Low Hazard 22 ft

Furse Dam

Smith, TX

Low Hazard 20 ft

Oak Hollow Dam

Smith, TX

High Hazard 16 ft

Shangri La Lake Dam

Smith, TX

High Hazard 26 ft

Lightfoot Dam

Smith, TX

Low Hazard 27 ft

Miles Lake Dam

Cherokee, TX

Low Hazard 24 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pessink Lake Dam?

Pessink Lake 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 Pessink Lake Dam?

Pessink Lake Dam is owned by BRUCE PESSINK;KIM PESSINK (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Pessink Lake Dam?

Pessink 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 Pessink Lake Dam?

Pessink Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Pessink Lake Dam last inspected?

Pessink Lake Dam was last inspected on March 22, 2023. 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.