Lake Throckmorton Dam
Lake Throckmorton Dam is an earth dam located in Throckmorton County, Texas, built in 1918. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Throckmorton Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton (local government). It impounds the Elm Creek near Throckmorton.
The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 1,270 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 165 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11 square miles. Completed in 1918, the structure is over a century 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 11/02/2023.
At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% 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 | Throckmorton |
| Nearest City | Throckmorton |
| River/Stream | Elm Creek |
| Coordinates | 33.16999, -99.18745 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Height | 42 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,270 ft |
| Year Completed | 1918 (108 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,675 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 165 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF THROCKMORTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/02/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TX03805 |
| Federal ID | TX03805 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |