Mountain Creek Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain Creek Lake |
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 Mountain Creek Lake
Location in Texas
Mountain Creek Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°43′05″N 96°57′40″W / 32.71806°N 96.96111°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Mountain Creek |
| Primary outflows | Mountain Creek |
| Catchment area | 295 sq mi (764 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 2.75 miles (4.43 km) |
| Max. width | 2 miles (3.22 km) |
| Surface area | 2,710 acres (10.97 km2) |
| Water volume | 22,840 acre⋅ft (28,170,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 458 feet (140 m) |
| Settlements | Dallas |
Mountain Creek Lake is a large reservoir (a man-made lake) located about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is found in the Mountain Creek area of the city. You can find it near major roads like SH 180, Spur 408, I-20, and FM 1382.
A former military base, Hensley Field, is on the north side of the lake. Also, Mountain Creek Lake Park is located along the lake's southeastern and southwestern edges.
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Fish Safety at Mountain Creek Lake
It's important to know about the fish in Mountain Creek Lake. The Texas Department of State Health Services has given advice about eating fish from this lake. This is because some fish have certain chemicals called dioxins and PCBs. These chemicals can be unhealthy if you eat too much of them.
Scientists tested fish from the lake. They found that some types of fish still have high levels of these chemicals. Because of this, people are asked to limit or avoid eating certain fish.
Who Should Be Careful?
- Children (especially under 12) and women who are pregnant, nursing, or might become pregnant should not eat any fish from Mountain Creek Lake. This is because young children's bodies are more sensitive to these chemicals.
What Fish Can You Eat (and How Much)?
For adult men and women past childbearing age, here are the guidelines:
- White or black crappie: You can eat as much as you want.
- Channel catfish: Limit to 1 meal per month.
- Flathead catfish: Limit to 2 meals per month.
- Largemouth bass: Limit to 3 meals per month.
- White bass: Limit to 1 meal per month.
- Common carp: DO NOT EAT
- Smallmouth buffalo: DO NOT EAT
- Freshwater drum: DO NOT EAT
These guidelines were updated in 2017. Before that, the advice was even stricter. It's good to know that these chemicals in the fish do not make it unsafe for swimming, boating, or other fun activities on the lake.
History of Mountain Creek Lake
Building Mountain Creek Dam started in 1929. The dam was finished in early 1937. The main reason for creating the lake was to help cool down an electric power plant. This plant belonged to the Dallas Power and Light Company.
When the lake was first planned, it was supposed to hold a lot more water. However, by 1992, the lake's capacity was less than expected. This was because of something called siltation. Siltation happens when dirt and mud build up at the bottom of the lake. This makes the lake shallower and holds less water over time.
