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 The
Colorado River is over 900 miles long. Many miles of the Colorado River run
through the Hill Country of Texas. This is not the same Colorado River that
flows out of the state of Colorado to eventually form Lake Powell and the Grand
Canyon.
The Colorado River in Texas ran wild and free for the earliest
inhabitants of Texas, like the Apache and the Karankawa and Spanish. It was
early Spanish explorers who named the river. But it was not supposed to be
Colorado. That name had been given to the Brazos River which has red-colored
clay banks. But the name switch stuck. With no concern paid to the fact that
there was another Colorado River flowing out of Colorado.
After the Texans took over Texas and began to populate the Hill
Country the unpredictable lower Colorado River became an issue. Eventually the
Highland Lakes system of a series of dams was built to harness the prone to
flooding river.
Seven dams were built creating seven reservoirs. Also known as lakes. Those 7
lakes have become very popular recreational venues for Texas, each with their
own attributes.
From West to East, upstream to downstream, there is Buchanan Dam making Lake
Buchanan, Inks Dam making Inks Lake, Wirtz Dam making Lake LBJ, Max Starcke Dam
making Lake Marble Falls, Mansfield Dam making Lake Travis, Tom Miller Dam
making Lake Austin and Longhorn Dam making Lady Bird Lake
LAKE BUCHANAN
When Buchanan Dam was built it was the longest multiple arch dam in the
U.S., at over 2 miles long. Eight miles at its widest, Lake Buchanan supports
all water sports known to man. This lake is where you will find the Vanishing
Texas River Cruise.
INKS LAKE
Inks Lake is the shortest of the Highland Lakes. It is popular with water
skiers due to its calm waters, due to there being fewer wake producing boats in
the water. Many consider this the most beautiful lake in the Highland Lakes
System. You will find Inks Lake State Park and the Inks Lake National Fish
Hatchery here.
LAKE LBJ
Lake LBJ is similar to Lake Travis in that it is big and wide at its
southern end with the lake narrowing and winding at its northern end. Lake LBJ
has become a popular retirement zone, as well as a recreational destination with
weekend resorts and condominiums along its shore.
LAKE MARBLE FALLS
Lake Marble Falls is almost as small as Inks Lake. The annual Cigarette Boat
Races are the biggest tourist attraction.
LAKE TRAVIS
Lake Travis is where many believe you can view the most spectacular sunsets
in Texas. You can join the nightly crowd at Oasis Cantina del Lago and join in
the nightly ritual of ooh and awing as the sun makes its final dip over the
horizon. Lake Travis is the most popular of the Highland Lakes, both due to its
proximity to Austin and its size. You will find many marinas to dock your boat.
Or rent one. You'll find Bob Wentz Park and Windy Point Park. And you will find
Hippie Hollow were wearing clothes is optional.
LAKE AUSTIN
The water of Lake Austin comes from the bottom of Lake Travis, making it the
coolest of the Highland Lakes. Lake Austin is so named because it is in Austin
with the skyline of downtown at the east end of the lake. There are a lot of
boats on Lake Austin. And scenery, with steep cliffs rising from the lake's
edge. Emma Long Metropolitan Park, known to locals as City Park, give what is
probably the best access to Lake Austin. You will find several marinas with boat
rentals on the lake
LADY BIRD LAKE
In 1960 Austin built Longhorn Dam, making the 7th of the Highland Lakes, Lady
Bird Lake. The lake was built as a cooling pond for a power plant, no longer
used. And as a city beautification project.
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