Lake Lyndon B. Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Lyndon B. Johnson |
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 Lake Lyndon B. Johnson
Location in Texas
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson
Location in the United States
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| Location | Texas Hill Country Burnet County Llano County |
| Coordinates | 30°33′20″N 98°20′16″W / 30.55556°N 98.33778°W |
| Lake type | Hydroelectric reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Colorado River Llano River |
| Primary outflows | Colorado River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 6,534 acres (2,644 ha) |
| Max. depth | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Surface elevation | 825 ft (251 m) |
Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, often called Lake LBJ, is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) in the Texas Hill Country. It's about 45 miles northwest of Austin. This lake was created in 1950 when the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) built the Granite Shoals Dam. The Colorado River and the Llano River meet in the northern part of the lake, near Kingsland.
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About Lake LBJ: Location and History
Several towns are located along the shores of Lake LBJ, including Granite Shoals, Kingsland, Horseshoe Bay, Highland Haven, and Sunrise Beach. The middle of the lake forms the border between Burnet County and Llano County.
How the Lake Got Its Name
The lake was first known as Lake Granite Shoals. In 1952, the dam was renamed Wirtz Dam to honor Alvin J. Wirtz, who was an important lawyer for the LCRA. Then, in 1965, the lake was renamed Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. This was to honor Lyndon Baines Johnson, who was a US President. President Johnson had a ranch on the lake. He and his wife often hosted important people from the US and other countries there.
Lake Levels and Maintenance
Lake LBJ is one of several reservoirs on the Colorado River. Other lakes include Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis, Lake Austin, and Lady Bird Lake. Lake LBJ, along with Inks Lake and Lake Marble Falls, are called "pass-through" lakes. This means they don't store extra water. Water that flows into Lake LBJ must also flow out. Because of this, the lake's water level usually stays about the same. However, the level can change during floods. The LCRA sometimes lowers the lake for a short time. This allows them to do maintenance on Wirtz Dam and lets landowners clean up around their boat docks.
Animals and Plants in Lake LBJ
Lake LBJ has been stocked with different kinds of fish. This helps make the lake a great place for fishing. You can find fish like largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, and crappie here.
Dealing with Hydrilla
Lake LBJ is one of the Highland Lakes that has hydrilla. This is a type of water plant that is not native to the area. It can grow very quickly and cause problems for boats and fish. The LCRA is working to remove the hydrilla from the lake.
Fun Things to Do at Lake LBJ
Most of the land around Lake LBJ is owned by private individuals. However, there are still places for everyone to enjoy. The Nightengale Archaeological Center in Kingsland is a special educational park run by the LCRA. It's right next to Lake LBJ.
Water Sports and Activities
Lake LBJ is very popular because its water level stays mostly constant. This makes it perfect for many water activities. People love to go boating, water skiing, and riding personal water craft (like jet skis). It's a great spot for all kinds of water sports!
Cooling Water for Power
The lake also serves an important purpose by providing cooling water for the Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant. This power plant is located right on the lake's shores.
