Alvarado Park Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alvarado Park Lake |
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Location | Johnson County, Texas |
Coordinates | 32°22′N 97°13′W / 32.367°N 97.217°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Turkey Creek |
Primary outflows | Turkey Creek |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 507 acres (205 ha) |
Max. depth | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
Water volume | 4,700 acre⋅ft (5,800,000 m3) |
Surface elevation | 691.8 ft (210.9 m) |
Alvarado Park Lake is a large, man-made lake, also known as a reservoir, located in Johnson County, Texas. It's about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of the town of Alvarado, Texas.
This lake was built in 1966 by Jack P. McKinney. Its main jobs are to help control floods, store water for the city of Alvarado, and provide a fun place for people to visit. The City of Alvarado manages the lake.
How Alvarado Park Lake Was Made
Alvarado Park Lake was created by building a dam across Turkey Creek. This creek is a smaller stream that eventually flows into Chambers Creek and then the Trinity River. The lake collects water from an area of about 31 square miles (80 km2).
The dam itself is quite big, stretching about 3,500 feet (1,100 m) long and standing 49 feet (15 m) tall. There's also a special part called a spillway, which helps control the water level. The water in the lake can look a bit cloudy or "murky" because of natural sediment.
You can easily get to the lake from major highways like I-35W and US Hwy 67, both about 3 miles (4.8 km) away.
Fish You Can Find
Alvarado Park Lake is a popular spot for fishing! Here are some of the main types of fish that live there:
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Alvarado Park Lake offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors and the water. It's a great place for families and friends to spend time.
Some popular activities include:
- Boating
- Water skiing
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Picnicking
For those who want to bring their boats, there's a public boat ramp on the north side of the lake. There's also a private boat ramp on the southeast side for people who live nearby.