Lake Fryer Dam
Lake Fryer Dam is an earth dam located in Ochiltree County, Texas, built in 1939. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Fryer Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Fryer Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Ochiltree County (local government). It impounds the Wolf Creek near Perryton.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 2,650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 90 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,792 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 138 square miles. Completed in 1939, 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/03/2023.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% 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 | Ochiltree |
| Nearest City | Perryton |
| River/Stream | Wolf Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.22008, -100.64021 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,792 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,792 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 947 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 90 acres |
| Drainage Area | 138 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 17,782 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | OCHILTREE COUNTY |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/03/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03890 |
| Federal ID | TX03890 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |