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.

Lake Walter E. Long
image of soldiers and state personal doing airborne training and water rescue drills over Walter E. Long Lake
U.S. soldiers and various state personnel conducting airborne and water rescue drills in 2012
Location of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, USA.
Location of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, USA.
Lake Walter E. Long
Location of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, USA.
Location of Lake Walter E. Long in Texas, USA.
Lake Walter E. Long
LocationAustin, Texas
Coordinates30°17.11′N 97°35.77′W / 30.28517°N 97.59617°W / 30.28517; -97.59617
TypePower plant cooling reservoir
Primary inflowsDecker Creek
Primary outflowsDecker Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyCity of Austin
Built1967
Surface area1,269 acres (514 ha)[1]
Max. depth60 ft (18 m)
Surface elevation555 ft (169 m)

Flora and fauna

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Walter E. Long Lake". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
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