Lake Gladewater Dam
Lake Gladewater Dam is an earth dam located in Upshur County, Texas, built in 1952. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Lake Gladewater Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Gladewater 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 City Of Gladewater (local government). It impounds the Glade Creek near Gladewater.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 1,203 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 435 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,075 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 43 square miles. Completed in 1952, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/08/2023.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% 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 | Upshur |
| Nearest City | Gladewater |
| River/Stream | Glade Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.55508, -94.96041 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,203 ft |
| Year Completed | 1952 (74 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 12,075 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 12,075 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,950 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 435 acres |
| Drainage Area | 43 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 35,819 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF GLADEWATER |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 11/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03725 |
| Federal ID | TX03725 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |