The Texas highland lakes are a chain of man-made lakes formed by several dams on the Texas Colorado River, which winds southeast from its headwaters near the border of Texas and New Mexico through central Texas to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Lakes And Dams Are:
-
Buchanan Dam-Lake Buchanan
- Inks Dam-Inks Lake-Constant Level
- Wirtz Dam-Lake LBJ-Constant Level
- Starcke Dam-Marble Falls-Constant Level
- Mansfield Dam-Lake Travis
- Tom Miller Dam-Lake Austin-Constant Level
- Longhorn Dam-Town Lake-Constant Level
Lake Travis
Has the largest storage capacity of the seven highland lakes. It stretches 65 miles upriver from western Travis County into southern burnet county. The Pedernales River flows into the lake from the southwest in western Travis County. Because of its volume, the lake serves as the primary flood control reservoir of the highland lake chain. The level of the lake can therefore vary dramatically, depending of the amount of rainfall. Lake Travis covers 18,930 acres, has a capacity of 369 million gallons and has a maximum dept of 190 feet. Elevation when full- 681 feet above mean seal level. Historic high-710.4 feet above MSL (DEC 25, 1991)
Town Lake
Is an artificial lake in downtown Austin. It is bounded by trails that continue throughout Austin. The city of Austin prohibits motorized watercraft; however it serves as a recreational area for canoes, rowboats, etc.
Lake Austin
Is located in Austin along the Colorado River. It flows from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam. It covers 1,830 acres and has a maximum depth of 75 feet. Elevation when full- 492.8 ft above mean sea level- historic high 495.2 (may 25, 1981) 20.25 miles long, 1,300 feet at widest point.
Lake Marble Falls
Is located in marble falls. The lake was formed by the construction of Starcke Dam for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power, making it the newest of the highland lakes. Elevation when full - 738 feet above mean sea level. Historic high 756.3 feet (Sept. 11, 1952) size 780 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet. 5.75 miles long and 1,000 feet at widest point.
Lake LBJ
Originally called Lake Granite shores was formed by the construction of Wirtz Dam. Lake LBJ is used for aquatic recreational and also provides cooling water for the Thomas J. Jerguson power plant in granite shoals. Lake elevation when full 825 feet above mean sea level. Historic high 836.2 (Sept. 11, 1952) dimensions - 21.15 miles long and 10,800 feet at widest point.
Inks Lake
Serves to provide flood control in tandem with Lake Buchanan- and features the smallest hydroelectric power plant in the highland chain. Inks Lake is used for outdoor recreation, fishing, boating, swimming, camping and picnicking. Elevation when full- 888.22 feet above mean sea level. Historic high (July 25, 1938) dimensions; 803 acres - with a maximum depth of 60 feet- 4.2 miles long, 3,000 feet at widest point.
Lake Buchanan
Was formed to provide a water supply and hydroelectric power for the region. Lake Buchanan was the first of the highland lakes to be formed and, because it covers over 22,000 acres with a maximum depth of 132 feet, it is also the largest lake. Lake Buchanan is known for its bald eagles. Elevation when full - 1,020.35 feet above mean sea level. Historic high - 1.021.4 feet above mean seal level (Dec. 20, 1991) dimensions 30.65 miles long, 4.92 miles at widest point.
