Hundreds of thousands of Texans have enjoyed beautiful Benbrook Lake since its opening in the 1950s, but few know the lake’s rich history.
The Benbrook Dam project was initiated in 1947 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to curb the oft-dangerous flooding of the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. Several catastrophic floods had caused fatalities and significant property damage in Fort Worth and the surrounding area, and the Clear Fork was generally considered the main culprit of the flooding. This was especially true in 1949, during the Benbrook Dam construction. Tarrant County experienced its most catastrophic flood to date when the Clear Fork jumped its banks and submerged much of Fort Worth.
“Traditionally, the Clear Fork was the toughest to tame… Lake Benbrook came as a part of that. Had Benbrook been completed, the ’49 flood would have largely been averted.” – Quentin McGown, Fort Worth Historian
The Benbrook Dam project would eventually be completed in 1950 (the year following the infamous flood), and Benbrook Lake would begin to impound water in 1952. In 1954 the lake would be open to fishermen in 1954. According to a 1954 bulletin (see below) from the WBAP TV Station, fishermen flocked to the lake, causing local roads and parking spaces to be “jammed all night.” The bulletin also states:
“At least ten thousand persons and hundreds of boats crowd the water by sunrise. They are there in all types of conveyences – ranging from this home-made bicycle boat to fancy inboard motors”
Interesting Facts & Figures
- Benbrook Lake is approximately 3800 acres large when at normal size
- Benbrook Lake is officially known as Benbrook Reservoir
- The Clear Fork of the Trinity River is the primary inflow & outflow of Benbrook Lake
- Much of the area now covered by Benbrook Lake was once a large cattle owned by Ed Sproles, Benbrook’s first mayor.
