Lake Worth the lake sits on the West Fork of the Trinity River, and it is owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth for municipal water supply and recreation. It was not designed to store floodwater, and it operates as a pass through reservoir. For a homeowner, that means heavy rain upstream is a reason to be ready, even though no local flood event is claimed here.
Key takeaways
- The lake is a pass through reservoir and was not designed to store floodwater.
- Its drainage area above the dam, including the area drained by Eagle Mountain and Bridgeport reservoirs, is about 2,064 square miles.
- The upper Trinity River basin receives an average of 35 to 40 inches of rain a year.
- Rainwater that enters a home is treated as contaminated and cleaned in a set order.
- Extraction comes first, then removal of wet porous materials, then drying.
A lake that passes water along
The lake sits on the West Fork of the Trinity River. Dam construction started in 1912, water was first held in June 1914, and the dam was completed in October 1914.
It was built for Fort Worth municipal supply, not to hold back a flood, so it passes water along rather than storing it.
Eagle Mountain Reservoir upstream and the dam here are part of one water system on the West Fork. Decisions about releases belong to the agencies that run it, not to the homeowners downstream.
How big the drainage area is
The area that drains above the dam, including what Eagle Mountain and Bridgeport reservoirs drain, is about 2,064 square miles. Eagle Mountain Reservoir sits on the West Fork just north of the lake.
That is a large area collecting rain, so heavy storms upstream can matter to the whole basin.
A large basin does not mean a flood is coming. It means the situation is worth watching when storms stack up over several days.
What the rainfall average means
The upper Trinity River basin receives an average of 35 to 40 inches of rain a year. Averages hide the heavy storms, which can drop a large share of that in a short time.
What this does not mean
No local flood event is claimed in this post. The point is only that rain, runoff and the layout of the land are part of how water reaches a house.
How storm water gets into a home
Heavy rain usually reaches a house in a few ways: through a doorway at a low point, through a window well or through a drain that cannot keep up. Roof and gutter overflow adds to the problem.
Knowing the low spots around a house helps a homeowner act before the water comes.
- Check that gutters and downspouts carry water away from the foundation.
- Clear leaves from drains and low spots around the yard.
- Keep a few towels and sandbags where they can be reached quickly.
- Move valuables off floors when heavy rain is forecast.
Water from above
Roof leaks and overflowing gutters send water down through ceilings and walls. That water starts cleaner than street runoff, but it soaks insulation and drywall just as fast.
A quick attic check after a storm catches a roof leak early, before it stains the ceiling below.
Water from the ground
Runoff that collects against a foundation looks for gaps at doors, slab edges and utility openings. It brings soil with it, which is why ground water is handled as contaminated.
Grading that slopes toward a wall, or a window well that fills, are common culprits and are worth fixing before the next heavy rain.
Why this water is treated as contaminated
Storm water picks up soil, oil and debris before it comes inside. In a home, it is handled as contaminated, so wet carpet and pad are usually removed.
Hard surfaces can be cleaned and treated, and the framing is dried before it is closed up.
What goes and what stays after storm water
Not everything that gets wet has to be thrown away. The rule of thumb is that hard, sealed surfaces can be cleaned, while porous materials that soaked up contaminated water usually cannot.
Sorting this early keeps the cleanup moving and prevents repeat trips through the house.
When a material is in doubt, the safer choice is removal. Putting a damp, contaminated piece back into a wall only hides the problem for a while.
- Sealed tile, stone and concrete are cleaned and treated in place.
- Carpet and pad are removed, since they hold contamination.
- Wet drywall is cut out about as high as the water wicked.
- Solid wood trim and cabinets are judged by how long they stayed wet.
- Mattresses, upholstered furniture and stuffed items are usually discarded.
The first steps once water is inside
The first steps are to stay safe, shut off power to wet areas and photograph the damage. Then the crew removes the standing water, as laid out on the storm and flash flood cleanup page.
The water extraction page describes how floors and low walls are handled in the first hours.
Do not run a regular vacuum on wet floors or use a space heater on a wet carpet. Both are common causes of injuries after a storm.
- Turn off power to wet areas if the panel is dry and safe to reach.
- Photograph the rooms before moving anything.
- Pump out standing water and remove wet carpet and pad.
- Dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers.
Getting ready before the next storm
A plan is simple: know where the water shutoff and breaker panel are, keep a list of contacts and have a place to move valuables. The Lake Worth town page has details on local service, and the main site has an overview of storm and flash flood cleanup.
If damp materials stay wet past 24 to 48 hours, mold can begin to grow, so quick action matters.
Neighbors can help each other too. Sharing a contact list and checking on older residents are small steps that matter when roads or power are affected.
Questions
Is the lake a flood control reservoir?
No. It was not designed to store floodwater and operates as a pass through reservoir.
Who owns and operates the lake?
The City of Fort Worth owns and operates it for municipal water supply and recreation.
How much rain does the area receive?
The upper Trinity River basin receives an average of 35 to 40 inches of rain a year.
Is rainwater in a house treated differently from tap water?
Yes. Storm water is treated as contaminated, so porous materials are usually removed.
What should be done first when water enters?
Stay safe, turn off power to wet areas if it is safe, photograph the damage and start extraction.
Does heavy rain upstream always mean flooding in town?
No. The drainage area is large, but this post claims no local flood. It only explains why rain, runoff and the layout of the land matter when storms are heavy.