Lake Ray Hubbard flooding history and what it means for lakefront homeowners

Lake Ray Hubbard has flooded, and understanding the history is essential for anyone buying lakefront or lake-adjacent property in Rowlett.

How the lake works: Lake Ray Hubbard was created in 1968 by damming the East Fork of the Trinity River near Forney. It's managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for water supply (primary purpose) and flood control. NTMWD operates the dam and controls water levels.

Normal pool elevation: 435.5 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). This is the target level for water supply.

Flood pool elevation: 440.5 feet AMSL. The lake has 5 feet of flood storage capacity above normal pool before it reaches emergency levels.

Major flood events:

December 2015 — The big one (combined with EF4 tornado) Heavy rains through fall 2015 brought the lake to record-high levels, peaking near 440 feet. Combined with the December 26 tornado (see the tornado history post), this was the most significant water event in the lake's history. Flooding affected lakefront properties, parks, and infrastructure.

• Boat ramps were submerged for weeks
• Some lakefront yards and structures took water damage
• FEMA flood maps were updated after this event

Spring 2019 Persistent spring rains brought the lake up to approximately 438 feet, well above normal pool but below the 2015 peak. Parks along the shoreline were partially flooded. Paddle Point closed temporarily.

Spring 2015 (pre-tornado) The same year as the tornado, spring flooding in May 2015 brought the lake up significantly. This was part of the historic North Texas flooding that affected the entire Trinity River watershed.

What this means for homeowners:

FEMA flood zones: FEMA flood maps for Rowlett delineate the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) around Lake Ray Hubbard. The 100-year flood zone (Zone AE) extends further inland than many buyers expect.

• Properties within Zone AE are at high risk and will require flood insurance if mortgaged
• Properties in Zone X (shaded) are in the 500-year flood zone — moderate risk
• Even properties outside mapped zones can flood in extreme events

Insurance:

• NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) policies cover up to $250K on the building and $100K on contents
• Excess flood insurance is available for higher coverage limits
• Private flood insurance may offer better rates for some properties
• Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period — you can't buy it when a storm is coming

Mitigation measures the city has taken:

• Improved drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas
• Updated stormwater management standards for new development
• FEMA-funded property buyouts in the most flood-prone areas (a small number of properties were acquired and demolished)
• Updated building codes requiring elevated construction in flood zones

What homeowners should do:

1. Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov — use your exact address
2. Get an elevation certificate if you're near the flood zone boundary
3. Consider flood insurance even if not required — it's relatively cheap ($400-$600/year) in Zone X
4. Know your elevation relative to the lake. The Corps of Engineers maintains a gauge at the dam.
5. Keep valuables and important documents above the first floor
6. Have a flood response plan — where to go, what to grab, how to contact insurance

Sources:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Fort Worth District, Lake Ray Hubbard management
• FEMA — flood map data and NFIP information
• NTMWD — lake level management data
• City of Rowlett — floodplain management and building code
• NOAA — historical precipitation data for Dallas County