Lake Walter E. Long facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Walter E. Long
U.S. soldiers and various state personnel conducting airborne and water rescue drills in 2012
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Location	Austin, Texas
Coordinates	30°17.11′N 97°35.77′W / 30.28517°N 97.59617°W / 30.28517; -97.59617
Type	Power plant cooling reservoir
Primary inflows	Decker Creek
Primary outflows	Decker Creek
Basin countries	United States
Managing agency	City of Austin
Built	1967
Surface area	1,269 acres (514 ha)
Max. depth	60 ft (18 m)
Surface elevation	555 ft (169 m)

Lake Walter E. Long (also known as Decker Lake) is a power plant cooling reservoir on Decker Creek in Austin, Texas. The reservoir was officially impounded in 1967 and serves to provide water for turbines used in the production of electricity from petroleum-based fuels. The dam and the lake are managed by the City of Austin. Surrounding Lake Walter E. Long is the city of Austin's Lake Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, a popular recreational destination.

Flora and fauna

Lake Walter E. Long has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Lake Walter E. Long include catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and sunfish. Plant species present in the lake water include hydrilla, pondweed, bulrush, waterstar grass, American lotus, coontail, and southern naiad.

Recreational uses

Lake Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park is open for daytime recreational use. Boating and fishing are the most popular recreational uses of the lake.