Lake Walter E. Long

30°17.11′N 97°35.77′W / 30.28517°N 97.59617°W / 30.28517; -97.59617TypePower plant cooling reservoirPrimary inflowsDecker CreekPrimary outflowsDecker CreekBasin countriesUnited StatesManaging agencyCity of AustinBuilt1967Surface area1,269 acres (514 ha)^[1]Max. depth60 ft (18 m)Surface elevation555 ft (169 m)

Lake Walter E. Long (also known as Decker Lake)^[1] is a reservoir on Decker Creek in Austin, Texas. It was officially impounded in 1967 and provides cooling water for a power plant that produces electricity from petroleum-based fuels. The dam and the lake are managed by the City of Austin. Surrounding the lake is the city'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.

References

External links

• City of Austin Map of lake and surrounding roads