Lake Ray Hubbard Reaches 100% Capacity: A Vital Water Resource at Its Peak

June 13, 2025

Lake Ray Hubbard, a key reservoir in North Texas, is currently at 100% of its conservation storage capacity, signaling robust water availability for the region. Located in Dallas, Kaufman, Collin, and Rockwall counties, this freshwater impoundment serves as a critical resource for municipal water supply, recreation, and power generation. Managed by Dallas Water Utilities, the reservoir’s full status reflects favorable hydrological conditions, providing a positive outlook for local communities.

According to the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) data from Water Data for Texas (accessed June 13, 2025), Lake Ray Hubbard’s conservation storage is fully utilized, with the reservoir holding approximately 439,559 acre-feet of water at its conservation pool elevation of 435.5 feet above mean sea level. This capacity corresponds to a surface area of about 20,947 acres, with a maximum depth of around 40 feet. The reservoir’s percent full metric, based solely on conservation storage and capacity, excludes any additional water in the flood pool, which is not reliable for long-term planning due to its extrapolated nature.
Historically, Lake Ray Hubbard’s water levels have fluctuated, with a recorded high of 437.08 feet on May 31, 2015, and a low of 424.92 feet on December 14, 2014. The current elevation, aligning with the conservation pool top, indicates optimal storage conditions. The reservoir’s ability to maintain this level is supported by recent precipitation and effective water management, a stark contrast to Texas’ severe drought conditions in 2011 when many reservoirs struggled.
Constructed between 1964 and 1969, Lake Ray Hubbard was formed by the Rockwall-Forney Dam on the East Fork Trinity River. Originally named Forney Lake, it was renamed in honor of Ray Hubbard, a former Dallas Parks and Recreation System board president. The dam, a two-mile earth-fill embankment, features a concrete spillway with 14 tainter gates to manage overflow. At its maximum flood control elevation of 437.5 feet, the lake can store up to 540,000 acre-feet, covering 24,000 acres. The adjacent Lake Ray Hubbard Steam Electric Station, operational since 1970, underscores the reservoir’s role in supporting regional infrastructure.

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The TWDB’s elevation-storage rating curve for Lake Ray Hubbard highlights that data up to the conservation pool top is based on measured values, while flood pool estimates are extrapolations. This distinction ensures accurate reporting for water supply planning, with the current 100% full status reflecting reliable conservation storage. The reservoir’s contribution to Texas’ water supply is significant, as surface water accounts for nearly 46% of the state’s projected water supply by 2070, per the 2022 State Water Plan.

Lake Ray Hubbard’s full capacity is a boon for North Texas, supporting Dallas and surrounding areas with a stable water source. However, ongoing challenges, such as sediment accumulation in aging reservoirs, emphasize the need for continued monitoring and management. The TWDB’s Water Data for Texas platform, which compiles data for 122 major reservoirs, provides transparent access to this information, aiding planners and citizens alike.

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As Lake Ray Hubbard stands at its conservation peak, it exemplifies effective water resource management in a state where water security remains a priority. For the latest updates on Lake Ray Hubbard and other Texas reservoirs, visit Water Data for Texas at waterdatafortexas.org.