Lake Georgetown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Georgetown |
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View from the Good Water Trail
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 Lake Georgetown
Location in Texas
Lake Georgetown
Location in the United States
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| Location | Williamson County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 30°40.0′N 97°43.4′W / 30.6667°N 97.7233°W |
| Type | Flood control reservoir |
| Primary inflows | San Gabriel River |
| Primary outflows | San Gabriel River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,297 acres (5.25 km2) |
| Max. depth | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Surface elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
Lake Georgetown is a special kind of lake in central Texas, United States. It's actually a man-made lake, also known as a reservoir. This lake was created on the north fork of the San Gabriel River.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built Lake Georgetown. They manage the dam, the lake, and all the land around it. The dam, called the North San Gabriel Dam, was finished on October 5, 1979. It helps control floods in the nearby community of Georgetown, Texas.
Lake Georgetown is a popular spot for fun activities like boating and hiking. It also provides clean drinking water for Georgetown and the city of Round Rock. Another man-made lake on the San Gabriel River is Granger Lake, located about 25 miles downstream.
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Fish You Can Find in Lake Georgetown
Lake Georgetown is a great place for fishing! To make it even better, different kinds of fish have been added to the lake. This helps improve the fishing experience for everyone.
Some of the fish you might catch here include:
- Largemouth bass
- Catfish
- White bass
- Hybrid striped bass
- Crappie
- And different types of sunfish
Fun Things to Do at Lake Georgetown
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not only takes care of the dam but also provides many fun places for visitors. These spots are perfect for enjoying the lake and its surroundings.
Parks and Picnics
Several parks around the lake offer day-use areas for picnics and relaxing:
- Cedar Breaks Park
- Russell Park
- Jim Hogg Park
- Overlook Park
Overlook Park is the only one with free entry, but you can't camp there.
Boating Adventures
If you love being on the water, you're in luck! Cedar Breaks, Jim Hogg, and Russell Parks all have boat ramps. This makes it easy to launch your boat and explore the lake.
Hiking and Biking on the Goodwater Trail
The Goodwater Trail is a fantastic path that goes all the way around the lake. It's about 26-mile-long (42 km)! You can start your adventure from trailheads at Cedar Breaks, Overlook, Jim Hogg, and Russell Park.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is allowed on the entire trail. The Austin Ridge Riders group helped make this possible, especially on the southern part of the trail.
- North Shore: If you're new to mountain biking, the north shore is a good choice. It offers shorter rides, and you can find places to refill your water bottle.
- South Shore: The south shore is much more challenging. It has rocky areas and steep drop-offs, so it's not recommended for beginners. Also, there are no water refilling stations or exits for about 12 miles between Cedar Breaks and Camp Tejas.
Camping on the Trail
If you want to camp overnight in a more natural setting, Sawyer Park allows primitive camping. It's located roughly halfway between Cedar Breaks and Tejas. Tejas Camp is technically on the San Gabriel River, not the lake, but it also provides access to the trail.
