Lake Bastrop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Bastrop |
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Lake Bastrop at North Shore Park
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 Lake Bastrop
Location in Texas
Lake Bastrop
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bastrop County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 30°9.31′N 97°17.51′W / 30.15517°N 97.29183°W |
| Type | Power plant cooling reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Spicer Creek |
| Primary outflows | Spicer Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 906 acres (367 ha) |
| Max. depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Water volume | 16,590 acre⋅ft (20,460,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 450 ft (140 m) |
Lake Bastrop is a large lake in Bastrop County, Texas, United States. It is about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of the town of Bastrop. This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it's a man-made lake created by building a dam.
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) built the dam in 1964. The main reason for Lake Bastrop is to help cool down nearby power plants, like the Sim Gideon Power Plant. It also helps cool the Lost Pines Power Project 1.
Besides cooling power plants, Lake Bastrop is a popular spot for outdoor fun. People enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and having picnics here. The lake's water level stays the same all year, which is great for these activities.
A part of the lake's shoreline belongs to the Boy Scouts of America. This area is called the Lost Pines Scout Reservation. It includes Camp Tom Wooten for Cub Scouts and Lost Pines Boy Scout Camp for older Boy Scouts. The Scouts started using this land in 1965 and later bought it from the LCRA.
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Fish Living in Lake Bastrop
Lake Bastrop is a great place to go fishing! Many different types of fish have been added to the lake over the years. This helps make fishing even better for everyone.
You can find several kinds of fish in Lake Bastrop, including:
Fishing Popularity
Some fish are more common than others in the lake. For example, Largemouth Bass are very common, making them a popular catch.
| Species | Low | Moderate | High | Extreme |
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| Largemouth Bass | X | |||
| Catfish | X | |||
| Crappie | X | |||
| Sunfish | X |
Fun Things to Do at Lake Bastrop
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) manages two public parks on Lake Bastrop. These parks are called North Shore Park and South Shore Park. Both parks offer campsites where you can stay overnight. They are perfect for enjoying the lake's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Lake Water Conditions
The water in Lake Bastrop is usually clear throughout the year. Sometimes, it might look a bit stained, but it's generally clear.
The lake has a lot of aquatic plants growing in it. These plants create many different places for fish and other creatures to live. This makes the lake a rich habitat for wildlife.
The water levels in Lake Bastrop usually change by about 1 to 2 feet each year. This change depends on the time of year.
