Sportsmans Lake Dam

SHELTON MILL CREEK· Henderson, Texas· Built 1950· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Sportsmans Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 47.7% in TX)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage913 acre-ft
Normal Storage396 acre-ft
Surface Area53 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge4,704 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDTX00202

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: January 14, 1986
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

TRAVIS WARD

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sportsmans Lake Dam?

Sportsmans 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 Sportsmans Lake Dam?

Sportsmans Lake Dam is owned by TRAVIS WARD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sportsmans Lake Dam built?

Sportsmans Lake Dam was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Sportsmans Lake Dam?

Sportsmans 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 Sportsmans Lake Dam?

Sportsmans Lake Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Sportsmans Lake Dam last inspected?

Sportsmans Lake Dam was last inspected on January 14, 1986. 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.