Lake Whitney (Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Whitney |
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 Lake Whitney
Location in Texas
Lake Whitney
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bosque / Hill counties, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 31°52′01″N 97°22′15″W / 31.86694°N 97.37083°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Brazos River, Nolan River |
| Primary outflows | Brazos River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 37 sq mi (96 km2) |
| Max. depth | 108 ft (33 m) |
Lake Whitney is a large lake in Texas, USA. It was built to help control floods from the Brazos River. This lake is located where Bosque and Hill counties meet. It covers more than 23,500 acres and has about 225 miles of shoreline.
The area around Lake Whitney is very pretty. You can see rolling, tallgrass prairies, cedar trees, and hardwood forests. There are also cliffs and rocky points up to 100 feet high. Lake Whitney is also part of the Texas Lakes Trail Region.
The Whitney Dam is an earthen dam that is 166 feet tall. The United States Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates it.
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How Lake Whitney Was Built
Texas used to have big floods in the early 1900s. These floods caused a lot of damage and even deaths. Rivers would overflow because of heavy rain.
In the 1930s, the United States government started to approve building dams. These dams were meant to hold back floodwaters.
The plan to create Lake Whitney on the Brazos River was approved in 1944. It was built mainly for flood control. It was also planned to make electricity. The dam construction started in 1947 and took four years to finish.
In 1951, the lake began to fill with water. The dam's power plant was built between 1951 and 1953. After a very dry period in the 1950s, lakes like Whitney became even more important. They served as places to store water for people, towns, farms, and businesses.
Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still manages Lake Whitney. They operate several flood control lakes in the Brazos River area.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Whitney
Lake Whitney is a popular place for fun all year round. Many people from the Dallas-Fort Worth area visit it. There are lots of water sports and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Water Adventures
The most popular things to do on the water include fishing, boating, and sailing. You can also go jet skiing, wakeboarding, and water skiing.
Land Activities
If you prefer land, you can go hunting or play golf. The area also has 3,000 acres of trails for horseback riding.
Wildlife Watching
Lake Whitney is a great spot for nature lovers. You can see about 300 types of birds, both those that live there and those that migrate. More than 50 different kinds of mammals also live around the lake. This includes white-tailed deer.
Getaway Capital of Texas
In 2005, the Texas Legislature called the Lake Whitney area the "Getaway Capital of Texas." This means it's a top spot for vacations. They confirmed this title again in 2011. This shows how much people love visiting Lake Whitney for its beauty and fun activities.
Lake Whitney State Park is a great place to visit. It has campsites, screened shelters, and swimming beaches. There are also boat ramps and even a small airstrip. The area also has marinas and many places to stay overnight.
- Whitney Dam and Reservoir from the Handbook of Texas Online
