A gem shimmers in the sun-kissed hills of North Texas, nestled in more than 200 miles worth of cliff-filled shorelines. Possum Kingdom Lake quenches more than the regions' thirst. Its allure extends beyond the practical. It's a haven for those seeking adventure, painted with the strokes of history.
Located on the main stem of the Brazos River northwest of Fort Worth, Possum Kingdom Lake was the first water supply reservoir constructed in the Brazos River Basin. The dam itself was named for the United States senator who was instrumental in obtaining funding for the project.
The reservoir project was authorized through a permit issued by the State of Texas in 1938, and construction was completed in 1941 with the aid of the Works Progress Program.
If you thought you recognized the reservoir's name from somewhere else, you might be thinking of the Toadies song named "Possum Kingdom" from their album "Rubberneck." They never actually say the words "Possum Kingdom" in the song itself, but they do mention a walk around the lake that you might want to avoid — check out the lyrics here.
Not that we recommend avoiding this treasure.
In fact, the Morris Sheppard Dam is an engineering marvel itself worth seeing if you're planning a trip just northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
The dam is 2,700 feet long and 190 feet high. That's taller than Niagara Falls. It consists of nine crest "roof weir" type gates, often called bear trap gates for their unique design. Each one is about 74 feet long and 13 feet high. And when open, each gate can pass an impressive 9,600 cubic feet per second of water maximum flow of water. One cubic foot of water is about the size of a beachball. So, think of 9,600 beachballs flowing over the dam per second. What a torrent of colorful chaos.
There are two great views of the more than 13-story dam available to the public. One overlooks the top of the Morris Sheppard Dam called Observation Point. Adjacent to the BRA's lake office, Observation Point at 301 Observation Point Road in Graford is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. From there, you can park and walk to a fenced overlook. But, be prepared to be dazzled as the structure built more than 80 years ago contrasts against the deep blue of the reservoir. Pop inside the lake office and ask for a park map if you're unfamiliar with the area. Then, take the time to visit River Park at 200 Red Bluff Road in Graford. From here, you can park adjacent to the Brazos River and look up at the dam. Only in person can you grasp the true size of the historic structure charged with holding back billions of gallons of the Brazos River Basin's water supply. (Go here to read about the incredible team that maintains the dam).
Speaking of the Brazos River Authority's Water Supply System, Possum Kingdom Lake holds about 540,000 acre-feet of water, with 230,750 acre-feet available as water supply. The lake is one of 11 reservoirs in the basin that work as a system to provide water to those in need. They include: Lakes Proctor, Whitney, Aquilla, Belton, Stillhouse Hollow, Georgetown, Granger, and Somerville, which are owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Lakes Limestone and Granbury, which are owned and operated by the BRA.
These reservoirs provide water to cities, water districts, water supply corporations, agricultural users, irrigators, steam electric generating facilities, manufacturing entities, and mining operations. When you turn on your faucet for a glass of water or water the garden, countless people have worked to protect that resource to supply our homes. (Go here to learn about the Brazos Watermaster who monitors, among other things, compliance with water rights and complaints about unauthorized water use.)
In 2023, 5,463 acre-feet of water from the reservoir was used lakeside. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre (43,560 square feet) with one foot of water. And one acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons of water. Another 11,958-acre feet was released for water supply. More than 34,000-acre feet was released because the lake was full, and water could not overtop the dam; otherwise, the water could damage the structural integrity of the dam.
And surprisingly to many, evaporation plays a significant role at Possum Kingdom Lake. More than 93,000 acre-feet of water was lost to evaporation from PK Lake in 2023 as water from the reservoir surface turned to vapor through natural processes. The larger a reservoir's surface area, the more water it loses to evaporation. You can view more data for 2023, including who is using that water, by viewing the BRA's Reservoir Accounting Summary here. The document shows the factors that contributed to the loss or gain of water for each of the 11 BRA System reservoirs scattered across the 42,000-square-mile river basin.
Visitors to the gorgeous lake often, though, aren't thinking about water supply.
A secondary benefit to building a water supply reservoir are the recreational opportunities it provides.
Possum Kingdom Lake is open to the public for recreational use, whether it's water or land-based. Major activities include fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, and hiking on its award-winning hike and mountain bike trail system.
Texas anglers know that Possum Kingdom Lake is a prime location to cast their lines. There are plenty of different types of fish to catch, like largemouth, striped and white bass, white crappie and channel and blue catfish. Many people also like to fish in the Brazos River just below Possum Kingdom's Morris Sheppard Dam.
If you plan to take a watercraft out on the reservoir, remember to check the water level first. During times of drought, lake levels can drop significantly. As water demands increase, water levels will rise and fall more often.
The BRA offers an extensive Hike and Bike Trail network extending across Possum Kingdom Lake's central peninsula, connecting the reservoir's public areas with 16 miles of paths. Designed for both beginning hikers as well as those who are more experienced, the trail system may be accessed via any of the 12 trailheads, allowing hikers to make their experience as long or as short as they'd like. Be on the lookout for wildlife, such as whitetail deer, turkeys, raccoons, opossums, foxes, wild birds and various snakes and lizards. Take pictures, but never approach. Wildlife along the trails are not domesticated or tame. Do not try to feed any animal. As in any outdoor situation, the animals can bite or attack and carry disease, so it's important to stay watchful.
Maps are posted to help those hiking and biking to be aware of their location on the trails. A complimentary printed map of Possum Kingdom and the Hike and Bike Trails is available by sending a request and your postal mailing address to information@brazos.org, while an online version may be found here.
Posted throughout the trails are displays that offer information on local history, geology and wildlife. Dogs are welcome to join their owners at PK; however, they must remain on a leash while on the trails. Proof of a current rabies vaccine must also be available. Dogs are not allowed in public swim areas, but they are welcome in camping areas.
Remember, some things are not permitted on the trails: Littering, motorized vehicles, alcoholic beverages, hunting, campfires, and cutting, removing or destroying any trees or vegetation.
The BRA also provides 10 public use or park areas, offering different amenities, including fishing piers, boat ramps, a total of 400 campsites, fire rings, cooking grills, restrooms, showers, and playgrounds at North D&D and Sandy Beach Park featuring swings, slides, spinners, twisters, climbing areas and learning panels.
Protected swim areas are available at North D&D, Bug Beach and Sandy Beach; and as a reminder, cliff diving from a height of 20 feet or more is prohibited. Visitors to BRA public use areas may stay for up to 10 consecutive days. For everyone's safety, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), dirt bikes, and golf carts are not allowed on most BRA property.
You can review BRA rules here.
Another big bonus to visiting Possum Kingdom Lake is that the reservoir is also adjacent to a 1,528.7-acre state park. Possum Kingdom State Park opened to the public in 1950, and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department charges $4 daily for adults to enter; children 12 and younger get in free. Click here to learn more about the state park.