Ringling Lake Dam

TR-NORTH FORK LEON RIVER· Eastland, Texas· Built 1922· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Ringling Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 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 18 ft (taller than 25.8% in TX)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage272 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area30 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge575 cfs
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDTX01410

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: February 28, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF EASTLAND

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ringling Lake Dam?

Ringling 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 Ringling Lake Dam?

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

When was Ringling Lake Dam built?

Ringling Lake Dam was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Ringling Lake Dam?

Ringling Lake 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 Ringling Lake Dam?

Ringling 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 Ringling Lake Dam last inspected?

Ringling Lake Dam was last inspected on February 28, 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.