Upper City Lake Dam

TR-BASSET CREEK· Anderson, Texas· Built 1974· Earth· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper City Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Texas. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. 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 22 ft (taller than 41.9% in TX)
Dam Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage225 acre-ft
Normal Storage186 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDTX05130

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 20, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TCEQ

Ownership

CITY OF PALESTINE

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper City Lake Dam?

Upper City 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 Upper City Lake Dam?

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

When was Upper City Lake Dam built?

Upper City Lake Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Upper City Lake Dam?

Upper City 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 Upper City Lake Dam?

Upper City Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Upper City Lake Dam last inspected?

Upper City Lake Dam was last inspected on March 20, 2019. 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.