View source for Lake Buchanan (Texas)

{{short description|Man-made lake in Texas, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox body of water
|name = Lake Buchanan
|image = Lake Buchanan (Texas) 29 Oct 2011.jpg
|caption = [[Landsat 5]] image of Lake Buchanan in October&nbsp;2011
|location = [[Burnet County, Texas|Burnet]] / [[Llano County, Texas|Llano]] counties, [[Texas|Texas, USA]]
|coords = {{coord|30|45.11|N|98|25.12|W|type:waterbody_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
|type = [[Hydroelectricity|Hydroelectric]] [[reservoir]]
|inflow = [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]]
|outflow = [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]]
|agency = [[Lower Colorado River Authority]]
|date-flooded = 1939
|area = {{convert|22333|acre|sqmi km2|1|abbr=on}}
|max-depth = {{convert|132|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|volume = {{convert|875566|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=in}}
|elevation = {{convert|1020|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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| pushpin_map_alt         = Location of Lake Buchanan in Texas, USA.
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'''Lake Buchanan''' ({{IPAc-en|b|@|'|k|æ|n|@|n}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/PronunWeb.pdf |title=Texas Almanac Pronunciation Guide |work=Texas Almanac |publisher=[[Texas State Historical Association]] |accessdate=2015-08-09 |quote=Buchanan Dam — buhk <u>hăn</u> uhn DĂM |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724073644/http://texasalmanac.com/sites/default/files/images/PronunWeb.pdf |archivedate=2015-07-24 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.texasoutside.com/pronounce.htm Highland Lakes "Pronunciation" Guide]</ref>) was formed by the construction of [[Buchanan Dam]] by the [[Lower Colorado River Authority]] to provide a water supply for the region and to provide [[hydroelectric power]]. Buchanan Dam, a structure over 2&nbsp;mi (3.2&nbsp;km) in length, was completed in 1939. Lake Buchanan was the first of the [[Texas Highland Lakes]] to be formed, and with {{convert|22333|acre|sqmi km2|1|abbr=on}} of surface water, it is also the largest.  The surface of the lake includes area in both [[Burnet County, Texas|Burnet]] and [[Llano County, Texas|Llano]] Counties. The lake is west of the city of [[Burnet, Texas]].

The other reservoirs on the [[Colorado River (Texas)|Colorado River]] are [[Inks Lake]], [[Lake LBJ]], [[Lake Marble Falls]], [[Lake Travis]], [[Lake Austin]], and [[Lady Bird Lake]].

The lake is named for Representative [[James P. Buchanan]] (1867–1937), who is credited with securing the funding to build the lake and dam.

==History==
[[File:Texas - Brownwood through Chisos Mountains - NARA - 68149087 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Lake Buchanan in 1940]]
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2023}}
Lake Buchanan was artificially created upon the completion of the adjacent Buchanan Dam in 1938. Work on the dam itself began in April&nbsp;1931, but was suspended a year later. Work resumed in 1935, with the dam completed three years later. However, deliberate impounding of the reservoir began in May&nbsp;1937. Initially, the dam and resulting reservoir project was known as Hamilton Dam and Reservoir, but its name was changed to honor Texas Congressman James P. Buchanan upon the completion of the project;<ref name="TSHA">{{cite web|title=Lake Buchanan|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rol20|work=The Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=14 August 2013|author=Breeding, Seth D.}}</ref> Buchanan had been responsible for securing federal funding for the project.<ref name="TheHighlandLakesBurnet">{{cite web|title=Lake Buchanan - A Gorgeous Hill Country Vacation Destination|url=http://www.thehighlandlakes.org/default.aspx?name=ws.lake_buchanan|publisher=Burnet County Tourism|accessdate=14 August 2013|author=The Highland Lakes of Burnet County|location=Burnet, Texas|archive-date=July 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725081100/http://www.thehighlandlakes.org/default.aspx?name=ws.lake_buchanan|url-status=dead}}</ref> The flooding of the lake forced the community of [[Bluffton, Texas|Bluffton]] to relocate {{convert|5|mi|km|abbr=on}} westward. The abandoned community was soon inundated; however, a [[drought]] in 2011 caused Lake Buchanan's water level to drop significantly, exposing the remains of the town.<ref name="cbsnews.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/depleted-texas-lakes-expose-ghost-towns-graves/ |title=Depleted Texas lakes expose ghost towns, graves - CBS News |website=www.cbsnews.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310043309/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/depleted-texas-lakes-expose-ghost-towns-graves/ |archive-date=10 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Fish and wildlife populations==
Lake Buchanan has been stocked with several species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Lake Buchanan include [[largemouth bass]], [[catfish]], [[white bass]], and [[striped bass]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} Lake Buchanan is a level-controlled reservoir, and will not be allowed to flood during periods of heavy rain. The lake level can, however, drop significantly during periods of drought.<ref name="cbsnews.com"/>

==Recreational uses==
Much of the property bordering Lake Buchanan is privately owned. Many lakeside cottages and homes are rented out on a regular basis.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} The Lower Colorado River Authority maintains three parks on the lake: Cedar Point Recreation Area, Black Rock Park, and Canyon of the Eagles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Buchanan Access |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/buchanan/access.phtml |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=tpwd.texas.gov}}</ref> County parks and private [[marina]]s offer boating access to the lake. Fall Creek Winery, the oldest [[winery]] in the [[Texas Hill Country]], is located near the confluence of Fall Creek and Lake Buchanan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pack |first=M. M. |date=2012-12-14 |title=Texas wines and the French connection |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2012-12-14/thirty-years-of-texas-wine/ |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=www.austinchronicle.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Lake Buchanan (Texas)}}
*[http://www.thehighlandlakes.org/default.aspx?name=ws.lake_buchanan Lake Buchanan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725081100/http://www.thehighlandlakes.org/default.aspx?name=ws.lake_buchanan |date=July 25, 2011 }}
*[http://www.lcra.org/water/dams/buchanan.html Lake Buchanan website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705230015/http://www.lcra.org/water/dams/buchanan.html |date=July 5, 2009 }}
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=rol20|name=Lake Buchanan}}
*[http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/buchanan/ Lake Buchanan - Texas Parks & Wildlife]
*[http://www.lake-buchanan.net/ Lake Buchanan Visitors Guide]
*[http://www.canyonoftheeagles.com Canyon of the Eagles Park and Lodge]
*{{gnis|1377210|Buchanan Lake}}

{{Texaslakes}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buchanan, Lake}}
[[Category:Reservoirs in Texas]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Burnet County, Texas|Lake Buchanan]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Llano County, Texas|Lake Buchanan]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Burnet County, Texas|Lake Buchanan]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Llano County, Texas|Lake Buchanan]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Lower Colorado River Authority]]