Grapevine Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Grapevine Lake
image_lake = Grapevine Lake dam.jpg
caption_lake = the lake's dam
image_bathymetry = Grapevine Lake.gif
caption_bathymetry = Lake and its parks
location = North Texas
coords = coord|32|58|20|N|97|3|24|W|type:waterbody_region:US-TX|display=inline,title
type = Reservoir
inflow = Denton Creek
outflow = Denton Creek
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = 7,280 acres (29.5 km²)
depth =
max-depth = 65 ft (20 m)
volume = convert|181100|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
shore = 60 miles (100 km)
elevation = 535 ft (163 m)
islands =
cities = Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine Lake is a freshwater lake located in the north Texas area, approximately Convert|20|mi|km|0|abbr=on northwest of Dallas, Texas. It was created in 1952 by the US Army Corps of Engineers when they dammed Denton Creek. The lake's primary purposes are flood control and to act as a water reservoir, with a secondary function of providing recreation and natural land area. The lake's name comes from the city of Grapevine, Texas, to which the lake is adjacent.

History and construction

On March 2nd, 1945, the U.S. Congress approved the River & Harbors Act of 1945 which, among many projects, provided for the construction of Benbrook Lake, Grapevine Lake, Lavon Lake and Ray Roberts Lake, as well as modifications to the existing Garza Dam for the construction of Lewisville Lake. All the projects were for the purposes of both flood control and navigation. These lakes became part of an extensive floodway system that is operated in a coordinated manner to minimize flooding along the Trinity river floodplain. [ [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/benbrook/Information/History.asp Benbrook Lake history] ]

The Grapevine Dam and Reservoir project, as it was originally known, was initiated in January 1948. Located on Denton Creek, a tributary of the Elm Fork of the Trinity river, the project spans both Tarrant County and Denton County. In this area immediately north of the City of Grapevine, the Corps of Engineers obtained approximately 15,700 acres (63.5 km²) of land and placed easements on another 2,200 acres (8.9 km²) to be flooded by the new reservoir. The project was completed in June 1952, and impounding of water began July 3, 1952.See Grapevine Lake Pertinent Data]

Statistics

The dam is a rolled earth-fill type, 28 feet (8.5 m) thick, which spans 12,850 feet (3,920 m). The crest of the dam is located at 588 feet (179 m) above sea level. At the dam, the original creek bed was at Convert|451|ft|m|0, making the dam approximately Convert|137|ft|m|0|abbr=on|abbr=on tall.

The dam's spillway is located at approximately 560 feet above sea level. This gives it a flood capacity of at least 425,500 acre feet (525,000,000 m³ or 138,649.8 million gallons), including an allowance for the build of up sediment in the lake's bottom. Typically, the lake is maintained near its conservation level, at Convert|535|ft|m|0|abbr=on, giving it a capacity of 181,100 acre feet (223,000,000 m³ or 59,011.7 million gallons) and a surface area of 7,280 acres (29.5 km²).

At conservation level, the lake has approximately Convert|60|mi|km|0|abbr=on of shoreline.

Water rights

Three municipalities have water rights to the lake; the city of Grapevine, the city of Dallas, and the Dallas County Park Cities (DCPC), which provides water to various communities in Dallas County.

Under its September 1953 contract, Grapevine obtained 1,250 acre feet (1,500,000 m³) of the water in the elevations between 500 and 535 feet (152 and 163 m) above sea-level. In February 1981, the city obtained an additional 25,000 acre feet (31,000,000 m³) in the same elevations "until such time as this [water] is needed for navigation purposes." In March 1953, the city of Dallas obtained 85,000 acre feet (105,000,000 m³) of the water between 500 and 535 feet (152 and 163 m), and in March 1955, DCPC obtained 50,000 acre feet (62,000,000 m³) at the same elevations.

Recreation

Parks and trails

Numerous parks surround the lake. Some of the parks are owned, leased or maintained by the local community. Others remain in the Corp of Engineer's control. The area contains 30 miles (50 km) of natural surface trails including nature, biking and equestrian trails. [Savvy center's [http://www.savvycenter.com/explorer/areas/infopages/grapevinelake.htm Grapevine Lake information] ]

Trails listed by the Corps of Engineers include the nine mile Northshore trail, the three mile Rocky Point trail, the five mile Crosstimbers horse trail, and the four mile Knob Hill trail. [Fort Worth Elm Fork District, [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lewisville/Trails.htm#Grapevine%20Trails List of Grapevine Lake trails] ]

Camping

The lake has primitive camping, prepared camping sites, and trailer / RV camping. Murrell park currently has tent and primitive camping, but is undergoing an expansion to increase camping facilities. Vineyards campground, managed by the city of Grapevine, offers site camping, RV parking, and cabins.

Marinas and boating

There are three marinas located on the lake, all operated by the private company "Marinas International". On the south shore, in Grapevine, are "Scott's Landing" and "Silver Lake". On the north shore, in Flower Mound, is "Twin Coves". The marinas support an active boating community on the lake; combined, the three marinas have approximately 1,400 moorings, with land-based storage for an additional 575 vessels. [600 slips / 300 land at Scott's Landings, 400 / 200 at Silver Lake, 400 / 75 at Twin Coves, per each marina's website.]

Both the "Grapevine Sailing Club" and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 5-11 of District 8) are based at Scott's Landing.

Ten boat ramps provide access to the lake, of which only the two ramps at Murrell park are controlled by the Corps of Engineers and available for free. Of the remaining ramps:

* The City of Trophy Club operates a ramp at Marshall Creek park.
* The City of Grapevine operates ramps at Meadowmere, Lakeview, Oak Grove, and Katie's Woods parks.
* The private company Marinas International operates ramps near Silver Lake marina and near Twin Coves marina.

Fishing and hunting

The lake is home to a number of fish species, including largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, white crappie, and channel catfish. Fishing regulations of most species managed under statewide regulations. The exception is a 14 to 18 inch (36 to 46 cm) slot limit on largemouth bass; only bass 14 inches (36 cm) and less in length, or 18 inches (46 cm) or more, may be retained. Daily bag limit for all species of black bass is 5 in any combination. Murrell Park located on the north shore of Grapevine was heavily damaged due to the summer 2007 flood and has since been partially closed. This closing greatly hurt the bank fishing scene as Murrell Park's main point is a premier spot for catching sand and black bass.

With a permit and in season, public hunting is allowed in the Marshall Creek area, located at the north-west end of the lake. Waterfowl and small game hunting, as well as bow hunting of feral hogs and deer is permitted. Hunting licenses are obtained from the state of Texas and an additional permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required.

See also

* Lake Lewisville
* Lake Ray Roberts

Notes and references

* US Corps of Engineers [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/pertdata/gpvt2.pdf Pertinent Data - Grapevine Lake]

External links

;Maps
* Corps of Engineers' map of [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/grapevine/PDF/Grapevine%20lake%20map%20final.pdf Grapevine lake and parks]
* Corps of Engineers' map of [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/grapevine/PDF/Northshore_trail.pdf Northshore Trail]

;Information
* Elm Fork Project office of the Corps of Engineer's [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/grapevine/ Grapevine Lake] page
* [http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bin/rcshtml.pl?page=Hydrologic Grapevine lake water level] - database of daily lake levels from mid-1970s to current.
* Texas Parks and Wildlife's site about [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/grapevine/ fishing Grapevine Lake]
* Guide to Texas Outside's [http://www.texasoutside.com/txorails/public/reviews/show_lake/52 review of Grapevine lake]
* Sailing Texas's [http://www.sailingtexas.com/clakegrapevine.html visit to Grapevine lake]
* US Coast Guard Auxiliary [http://a0810511.uscgaux.info Flotilla 5-11 District 8] , based at Scott's Landing
* [http://www.grapevinesailingclub.com Grapevine sailing club] , based at Scott's Landing