How Deep is Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas?

There’s no environment quite as peaceful as a clear blue lake and its surroundings. Possum Kingdom Lake is the epitome of this heavenly environment. It was voted as one of the most picturesque lakes in the state of Texas. If you look out onto Possum Kingdom Lake, you will see almost 20,000 acres of pristine blue water. Along the hundreds of miles of shoreline, lie sandy beaches, rocks, cliffs, and coves. But how deep is Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas?

About Possum Kingdom Lake

Possum Kingdom Lake is located northwest of Fort Worth, Texas. It is situated on the main stem of the Brazos River. This lake is a man-made lake. It was the first water supply reservoir that the state of Texas, constructed in the Brazos River basin. The state issued a permit for this project in 1938.

The lake spans areas in Young, Stephens, Jack, and Palo Pinto counties. It has about 219 miles of shoreline and covers an area of approximately 16,716 acres. It holds about 540,000 acre-feet of water. Of this water, 230,750 acre-feet are available as a water supply for the Brazos Basin.

The lake is located at the intersection between the Brazos River and the Palo Pinto Hills, in an area that was originally a canyon. This location provided the state of Texas with an optimal site for the impoundment of the reservoir. Because of the geography of the area, the lake is unusually deep and clear.

The original purpose of the lake and dam was to have a large body of water available for industrial, municipal, mining, flood control, irrigation, and power generation uses, in addition to recreation.

The Morris Shepherd Dam of Possum Kingdom Lake

The Morris Shepherd Dam, named for the United States senator who was crucial in securing funding for the project, impounds Possum Kingdom Lake. The dam includes nine gates, each of which is about 74 feet long and 13 feet tall. When each gate is open, it will allow for the passage of about 9,600 cubic feet of water per second. 

This dam is unique in its construction because of the buttressed arched wings on each side of each gate. Normally, instead of these wings, dam gates have filled concrete. Originally, the dam’s construction included a hydroelectric generating facility, but this is no longer utilized.

Things to Do at Possum Kingdom Lake

Possum Kingdom Lake has approximately three million visitors every year. It’s easily one of the most popular recreational lakes in north Texas.

Because the water of Possum Kingdom Lake is so clear and blue, it is great for a variety of underwater activities, like snorkeling and scuba diving. In addition, you can enjoy swimming, water skiing, boating, and fishing.

Many anglers enjoy fishing on this lake, as there is a variety of species that populate it. There are seven public boat ramps, in addition to multiple public fishing piers.

Outside of the lake itself, there are plenty of activities to do in the park areas surrounding the water. Ten public access areas include 400 campsites that allow both tent and RV camping. An award-winning trail system is available for hiking or mountain biking.

Park Areas on Possum Kingdom Lake

Possum Kingdom State Park is located on the west side of the lake. Spanning about 1,530 acres, this park is governed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Many consider it to be one of the nicest state parks in Texas.

The park has been around since the 1930s, and it is the site of more than 100 campsites and six luxurious cabins. From this park, people can enjoy the natural surroundings, including breathtaking scenic views of Possum Kingdom Lake.

The shoreline of Possum Kingdom Lake is quite varied, made up of gentle slopes, a beach, and steep cliffs.

In addition to the state park, there are six Brazos River Authority public-use areas located on the west side of the lake. They vary in terms of amenities. However, there are many boat ramps located in these areas, and some of them do contain campsites.

How Deep is Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas?

On average, Possum Kingdom Lake is about 32 feet deep. At its deepest point, the lake is about 106 feet deep. It is the third deepest lake in the Brazos River Basin, with Stillhouse Hollow and Belton Lakes being just a few feet deeper.

As this is a man-made lake, the depth varies with the original terrain of the ground on which it was built.

Official surveys of the reservoirs are routinely conducted within the Brazos River Basin. The main purpose of these surveys is to determine the volume of each lake, but crews also determine the depth of each lake during each survey.

The depth is the distance from the top of the conservation pool (the point where the lake would be considered full) to the bottom. The survey crews use sonar and GPS technology to find the depth of the lake at many different points in order to get an average. Sound waves from sonar travel at different frequencies, and the results allow the officials to determine not only depth but how much sediment is present.

Typically, the deepest point of a lake is close to the dam, and this is indeed the case with Possum Kingdom Lake as well.

Where is Possum Kingdom Lake Located on a Map?

Possum Kingdom Lake is located in the northern part of Texas, approximately 80 miles west of Fort Worth. It is situated along the Brazos River and covers over 19,000 acres with a shoreline that spans more than 300 miles. The surrounding area offers stunning natural beauty, including steep cliffs and rolling hills, making it an ideal location for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.

Animals In and Around Possum Kingdom Lake

There are many fish that inhabit Possum Kingdom Lake. These include crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, and different types of bass – largemouth, white, and striped.

Not only is there a diverse array of fish in the lake, but also many terrestrial animals at Possum Kingdom State Park. In the woods, you’re likely to see desert bighorn sheep, javelinas, mule deer, pronghorns, opossums, coyotes, bobcats, wild turkeys, and raccoons.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Daniel D Foy