Lake Cherokee Dam
Lake Cherokee Dam is an earth dam located in Rusk County, Texas, built in 1948. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Cherokee Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Cherokee Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Cherokee Water Company (private). It impounds the Cherokee Bayou.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 4,988 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3,101 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 101,363 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 158 square miles. Completed in 1948, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/07/2021.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Texas dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Texas |
| County | Rusk |
| River/Stream | Cherokee Bayou |
| Coordinates | 32.36018, -94.60615 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 4,988 ft |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 101,363 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 101,363 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 44,475 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3,101 acres |
| Drainage Area | 158 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 130,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CHEROKEE WATER COMPANY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/07/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03453 |
| Federal ID | TX03453 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |