The Rockwall-Forney Dam a marvel of engineering stands before you. It wasn’t always called that. Originally known as Forney Lake its name changed after Dallas took ownership. It was then renamed for Ray Hubbard a key figure in the city’s parks and recreation system. He served from 1943 to 1972.
This impressive dam didn’t spring up overnight. Planning began long before its 1969 completion. Construction started in June 1964. Two companies S and A Construction Company and Markham Brown and M C Winter Construction Company built it. The dam closed in September 1967. Impoundment the deliberate filling of the reservoir began in December 1968.
Rockwall-Forney Dam is more than just a barrier. It’s a crucial piece of Dallas’s infrastructure. It controls water supply flood control and recreation. The lake itself Lake Ray Hubbard is vast. It reaches its maximum designed extent by 1970. It covers over 20000 acres. The dam’s spillway is quite a sight. A concrete ogee weir with fourteen massive tainter gates. Each gate is 40 feet wide and 28 feet tall. The spillway’s crest stretches for 560 feet.
Think of the sheer volume of water this dam holds. At its top elevation the lake can store a staggering 540000 acre-feet of water. That’s enough to fill many swimming pools. But what about its original purpose? Water for North Texas. The dam and reservoir were designed to provide a reliable water supply for the region.
Even today Rockwall-Forney Dam plays a vital role. It not only provides water but also manages the East Fork Trinity River’s flow. Preventing floods and providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors. This two-mile earth-fill embankment isn’t just a historical landmark. It’s a working part of Dallas’s lifeblood. A testament to human ingenuity and the city’s foresight. So next time you see this dam remember its story. Remember its role. Remember Ray Hubbard.