Jim L. Chapman Lake water level — Texas
Jim L. Chapman Lake in Texas was last measured at 436.30 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 31, 2026, 3:00 AM (UTC-05:00) (USGS Water Services). That is 79.4% of conservation-pool capacity. Over its recent trend window the level has been falling (−1.3 ft). This reading is provisional and subject to revision.
- % of conservation pool full
- 79.4%
- Storage
- 237,354 acre-ft
- Recent trend
- ↓Falling
−1.3 ft over the trend window
Recent trend
Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Aug 31, 2026 — a 89-day window — downsampled for display.
Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).
Source: USGS site 07342495 · USACE SWF/SCLT2, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →
About this gauge's record
This site's drainage basin covers approximately 479 sq mi of contributing watershed. USACE's continuous elevation record for this project begins in 1991 (3 tracked series for this project).
The dam behind Jim L. Chapman Lake
Jim L. Chapman Lake is held back by Cooper Dam (also recorded as Jim Chapman Lake) , an earthfill embankment, holding the pool back by sheer mass and an impervious core rather than by the strength of concrete , standing 95 ft high and running 28,072 ft along its crest , built across SULPHUR RIVER in Delta County , near TALCO . It was completed in 1991 , and is owned by USACE - Fort Worth District (a federal owner) , to a design credited to CESWF.
Its recorded primary purpose is flood risk reduction — the pool is drawn down between storms so there is empty space waiting for the next flood, which is why this level can fall in dry weather and climb sharply after rain . It also serves flood risk reduction;fish and wildlife pond;recreation;water supply.
It is founded on rock;soil, with a earth core. Its spillway is ungated: once the pool reaches the crest, water leaves on its own and the operator cannot hold it back. The spillway opening is 700 ft wide. Its outlet works use uncontrolled0.
NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in.
At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 19,280 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 797,300 acre-ft against a normal storage of 310,800 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 134,700 cubic feet per second.
Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record TX08012 , filed by US Army Corps of Engineers — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USGS Water Services and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)
How Jim L. Chapman Lake compares nearby
5 of 6 nearby lakes with a current trend are also falling right now.
Nearby lakes
The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.
| Lake | State | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Sulphur Springs | TX | 458.08 ft | 17 km |
| Lake Crook | TX | 475.06 ft | 44 km |
| Bois D'arc Lake | TX | 532.47 ft | 52 km |
| Lake Cypress Springs | TX | 376.41 ft | 53 km |
| Pat Mayse Lake | TX | 450.06 ft | 58 km |
| Lake Fork Reservoir | TX | 399.18 ft | 59 km |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the current water level of Jim L. Chapman Lake?
- As of Aug 31, 2026, 3:00 AM (UTC-05:00), the pool elevation was 436.30 ft (datum NGVD29), provisional and subject to revision. See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
- Is Jim L. Chapman Lake full right now?
- The source reports it at 79.4% of conservation-pool capacity as of Aug 31, 2026, 3:00 AM (UTC-05:00).
- Where does this data come from?
- From USGS site 07342495 · USACE SWF/SCLT2, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).
More in Texas
See every lake tracked in Texas, or read the methodology behind these figures.