Possum Kingdom Lake Information

Known as P.K. to the locals, Possum Kingdom Lake is famous for its clear blue water and “hells gate,” a channel which cuts between an island and a row of cliffs. Located on the Brazos River about 80 miles west of Fort Worth, Possum Kingdom covers roughly 17,700 acres with 310 miles of shoreline. Depth of the lake varies with the original terrain of the area and is approximately 100 feet at the dam site.

With an estimated three million visitors annually, Possum Kingdom Lake is one of the most popular recreation lakes in north Texas for water sports, fishing camping and hiking. Possum Kingdom State Park, west of Mineral Wells in Palo Pinto County, is 1528.7 acres adjacent to Possum Kingdom Lake.

Construction of the Morris Sheppard Dam, built primarily for water conservation and flood control, started on May 28, 1938 under the authority of the Brazos River Authority and was completed on March 20, 1941. The dam is 2,740 feet long and stands 190 feet high with buttressed arched wings on either side of the nine spillway gates rather than the usual filled concrete.