Eagle Mountain Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eagle Mountain Lake |
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 Eagle Mountain Lake
Location in Texas
Eagle Mountain Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tarrant / Wise counties, North Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°53′55.5″N 97°29′58.4″W / 32.898750°N 97.499556°W |
| Primary outflows | Lake Worth (Texas) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 8,694 acres (3,518 ha) |
| Water volume | 179,880 acre⋅ft (221.88 hm3) |
| Surface elevation | 649 ft (198 m) |
| Islands | Pelican Island |
| Settlements | Fort Worth, Azle, Pelican Bay, Newark |
Eagle Mountain Lake is a large, man-made lake in North Texas. It's a type of lake called a reservoir, which means it was created by building a dam across a river. This lake was formed by stopping the flow of the West Fork of the Trinity River. Eagle Mountain Lake is located between two other reservoirs: Lake Bridgeport is upstream (before it), and Lake Worth is downstream (after it).
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Building Eagle Mountain Lake
Eagle Mountain Lake was built to help manage water for the surrounding areas. It's an important part of the local water system.
How the Lake Was Made
The idea to build Eagle Mountain Lake started a long time ago. On May 1, 1928, the state of Texas gave permission to start building the dam. Construction on the dam began on January 23, 1930. Workers finished building the dam on October 24, 1932. Water then began to fill the area behind the dam on February 28, 1934, creating the lake we see today.
World War II and the Lake
During World War II, Eagle Mountain Lake played a special role. A military base called Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake was built on the eastern side of the lake. This base was used for the military's glider program. Gliders are aircraft that fly without an engine, and pilots would train there.
Upgrading the Dam
Years later, in 1965, people living in the area voted to approve a plan to make the dam even better. The Tarrant Regional Water District, which manages the lake, wanted to add improved spillways. Spillways are like gates that help control how much water flows out of the dam. The new spillway was finished on July 31, 1971, making the lake safer and easier to manage.
Weather Events at the Lake
Sometimes, strong weather can affect the lake area.
Tornado Over the Lake
On May 24, 2011, a small tornado, called an EF0 tornado, formed right over Eagle Mountain Lake. It caused some damage west of Boat Club Road. The tornado knocked down a few trees and damaged some mobile homes nearby.
Fun Things to Do at Eagle Mountain Lake
Eagle Mountain Lake is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It's a great place for families and friends to enjoy nature and water sports.
Water Activities
The lake is perfect for all sorts of water fun. You can go boating or try fishing to catch some fish. Many people enjoy water sports like sailing (using wind to move a boat), wakeboarding (riding a board while being pulled by a boat), water skiing (skiing on water while being pulled by a boat), and kayaking (paddling a small boat).
Land Activities
Around the lake, there are also many things to do on land. You can find nice areas for picnics where you can eat outdoors. There are also walking trails if you like to explore on foot. If you want to stay longer, there are campgrounds where you can set up a tent. Plus, you'll find several restaurants near the lake where you can grab a bite to eat.
