Cedar Creek Reservoir (Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Creek Reservoir |
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View of lake looking north
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 Cedar Creek Reservoir
Location in Texas
Cedar Creek Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Henderson and Kaufman Counties, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°21′49″N 96°10′29″W / 32.3637°N 96.1747°W |
| Lake type | Artificial lake |
| Catchment area | 1,000 sq mi (2,600 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | about 18.6 mi (29.9 km) |
| Max. width | about 2.3 mi (3.70 km) |
| Max. depth | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Islands | 3 |
| Settlements | 14 |
Cedar Creek Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in Texas, USA. It is located in Henderson and Kaufman Counties, about 50 miles (80.5 km) southeast of Dallas. The lake was created on Cedar Creek, which flows into the Trinity River. When there's too much water, a special gate called a spillway opens. This lets extra water flow into a channel that connects to the Trinity River.
Contents
About Cedar Creek Lake
Cedar Creek Lake is a very important water source for many cities. It helps supply water to Fort Worth and other towns in Tarrant and Johnson Counties. The lake collects water from a huge area, more than 1,000 square miles (2,600 km²).
Wildlife and Nature
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department takes care of three islands in the lake. These islands cover about 160 acres (65 hectares). They are special areas for aquatic birds, meaning birds that live near water. This helps protect different kinds of birds and their homes.
Building the Lake
Work on Cedar Creek Lake started in 1961. It took four years to build, and was finished in 1965. The lake is owned by the Tarrant Regional Water District. It is one of their main sources for water supply.
Lake Levels and History
The normal water level for Cedar Creek Lake is 322 feet (98.15 meters) above sea level. When the lake gets higher than this, the spillway gates open to release water. This helps prevent flooding.
Dry Years and Recovery
In 2005 and 2006, there wasn't much rain. The lake's water level dropped to a record low in December 2006. It was more than 8 feet (2.45 meters) below its normal level. This was the lowest the lake had been since it was built.
However, things started to change. In late 2006 and early 2007, a lot of rain fell. This helped the lake's water level rise quickly. By March 2007, the lake was back to its normal level, and the flood gates had to be opened. This was the first time they opened since 2005.
All Lakes Full
The heavy rains also filled up other lakes in the area, like Lake Benbrook and Lake Arlington. By June 2007, all seven lakes managed by the Tarrant Regional Water District were full. This was a big achievement and showed how much rain had fallen.
Towns Around the Lake
Many towns are located on or very close to Cedar Creek Lake. These include:
- Kemp
- Mabank
- Gun Barrel City
- Payne Springs
- Enchanted Oaks
- Eustace
- Caney City
- Malakoff
- Star Harbor
- Trinidad
- Tool
- Seven Points
Because the lake is close to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it's a popular spot for people to visit on weekends. They come to relax and enjoy the water.
Creeks and Rivers Feeding the Lake
Cedar Creek Reservoir was built on Cedar Creek. This creek is a tributary, which means it flows into a larger river, the Trinity River. The main dam for the lake is at the south end, near the town of Malakoff.
Water Flow
The spillway, which lets out extra water, is on the west side of the lake. It sends water into a canal that connects to the Trinity River. This canal is located near Tool, Texas.
Other Important Creeks
Several other major creeks also flow into Cedar Creek Lake, bringing in water. These include:
- Caney Creek
- Clear Creek
- King's Creek
Fishing at Cedar Creek Lake
Cedar Creek Lake is a great place for fishing! Many different kinds of fish live here.
Popular Fish Species
The most common fish you can catch include:
- Blue catfish
- Channel catfish
- Flathead catfish
- Largemouth bass
- White bass
- Hybrid striped bass
- Crappie
Best Fishing Spots
For largemouth bass, the southern part of the lake is often the best. The water there is clearer. Look for bass in the large coves and inlets. Fishing near docks is also a good idea for catching big bass. You can use lures like Texas rig worms, frogs, buzzbaits, and crankbaits. Jigs are also very useful near docks. You might also find bass in the grassy areas in the southern end of the lake.
Catfish Fishing
You can find catfish all over the lake. There are usually more blue catfish than channel catfish. Fishing for catfish is especially good in the spring and early summer. Many smaller streams and creeks flow into the lake. If you use "jug lines" (lines with floats) in the channels of the coves, you can catch blue catfish and flathead (yellow) catfish. Good bait includes goldfish, shad, and small sunfish.
