South Nichols Lake Dam

GUM CREEK· Henderson, Texas· Built 1965· Earth· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

South Nichols Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 30.6% in TX)
Dam Length975 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage137 acre-ft
Normal Storage101 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDTX00210

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
State Regulated: No

Ownership

LEONARD NICHOLS

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Nichols Lake Dam?

South Nichols 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 South Nichols Lake Dam?

South Nichols Lake Dam is owned by LEONARD NICHOLS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Nichols Lake Dam built?

South Nichols Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 South Nichols Lake Dam?

South Nichols 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 South Nichols Lake Dam?

South Nichols Lake Dam has a dam height of 19 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.

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.