Dipping a toe into North Texas’ lake history

Editor’s Note: Take a look back at the Dallas Morning News Archives.

Dallasites don’t have to travel far to find an escape from the waterfront rat race. The warm air of summer inspires a range of water sports activities, from water skiing to fishing.

Four lakes in North Texas have been committed for over half a century.

Grapevine Lake, Lake Lavon, Lewisville Lake, and Joe Pool Lake are each state-funded body of water and current staple food in North Texas. Each contains dams and reservoirs to provide water to Dallas and other suburban residents while also providing space for recreational fun.

The Dallas Morning News dives into its archives to uncover lost memories of long days by the water.

Weinrebensee

July 20, 1978.(The Dallas Morning News)

Founded: 1952

After World War II, construction of a new dam and reservoir in North Texas was approved. In what would later become Grapevine Lake, the project was supposed to give cities access to water, but also keep an eye on recreation.

The reservoir is over 7,000 hectares and soon became a popular fishing spot. The area developed a reputation as a “productive mecca for anglers” and water sports on September 11, 1953, according to The News.

When fishing was officially opened to the public in 1954, “the midnight sun disrupted Grapevine Lake northwest of Dallas as hundreds of eager fishermen chased 600,000 black bass, crappie and channel catfish.” The news reported that “by lantern light, the mobs – mostly men, but also some women and children – threw out the fish and chased the fish for their deadly midnight snacks.”

In total, more than 20,000 people cast their rods at Grapevine Lake on the opening day in June 1954.

In 1972, North Texans discovered that something was wrong with the lake. “The people around Grapevine knew their lake was in trouble when they had to wade knee-deep in beer cans,” reported The News on September 19, 1972. The solution? Organize community cleaning.

Over the decades that followed, Grapevine Lake hosted a variety of fun activities for residents. Fishing rodeos, canoe races, tournaments and boating kept active locals happy by the water. Grapevine Lake remains an outdoor family destination in North Texas.

Lavon lake

Photo of a swimmer tipping over in Lake Lavon. Photo taken on May 27, 1983.(The Dallas Morning News)

Founded: 1953

“There was cheer in the air, for Friday the House Budgets Committee had approved an allocation of $ 500,000 for the Lavon Reservoir.”

The News reported in June 1947. Lake Lavon was created out of a small town in Collin County to control floods and provide shelter and recreation.

The locals had big plans and dreams even before construction was finished. One Wylie resident in particular imagined the area as “catfish heaven” because he knew “what it is”. [took] to fatten a Collin County catfish. “

“You want lush vegetation that grows on rich black soil. So when it fills with water in 1951, Lavon Lake will be a fishing paradise, ”said Truett Smith in 1950.

The dedication and commitment of the local residents transformed the reservoir into an outdoor paradise. With the lake’s 1954 summer season opening, entertainment was widespread across the area. A crowd of more than 50,000 people called Lake Lavon Paradise on this July 4th weekend.

Other events around Lake Lavon included speedboat races hosted by the Wylie Lions Club and the Wylie Volunteer Fire Departments in the 1950s. Water skiers also conquered the lake. In 1961 there was a two-hour show with 16 acts of “jumps, ballets, clown performances, barefoot skiing and water kite flying”.

In 1962 alone, Lake Lavon attracted over 3 million visitors, making it one of the most popular mid-century lakes in North Texas.

Lake Lavon continues to thrive and offers several marinas and activities such as boating, kayaking, and fishing.

Lewisville Lake

Photo of the shore along Lewisville Lake. Photo taken on September 6, 1982.(The Dallas Morning News)

Founded: 1948

Some people may remember spending the summers at Lake Dallas or Garza-Little Elm Lake. It may be news to them to learn that the two lakes would eventually merge into one and be renamed Lewisville Lake.

It started in the 1920s when the city of Dallas built a new reservoir near the city of Garza. When the project was completed it was named Lake Dallas and the city changed its name to resemble its new aquatic neighbor.

Two decades later, a new federally funded project was approved to supply the growing D-FW population with water. This project became known as the Garza-Little Elm Reservoir and Dam, named after the nearby towns. It wasn’t until 1957, when the neighboring dams were breached, that they became one. In 1971 the name was officially changed to Lewisville Lake.

The lake holds many memories. Lewisville Lake was once the home of campers at Sky Ranch in its original location, 45 km northwest of Dallas in 1955. It was also the site of the Sears Cup sailing tournament in 1960. The Frisco Fishing Barge reported that same year, how the fish “bite” the best ” at the lake. Five years later, a 27-act ski show was held “in conjunction with the Lewisville Jaycee’s annual camporee,” which featured a variety of tricks for the audience.

Dallasites and the surrounding suburbs can continue to enjoy the activities that Lewisville Lake has to offer. Locals can enjoy a cold beer at Party Cove or just go fishing from the boat on a hot summer day.

Joe Pool Lake

Regina McDonald, smiles as her 8 month old daughter Alyssa McDonald splashes water on the beach at Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake. Photo from May 31, 1994.(The Dallas Morning News)

Founded: 1983

Joe Pool Lake began as a promise made by a local Dallas teenager who would posthumously honor it.

When Joe Pool became a member of Congress in the mid-1960s, he kept his earlier promise to help homes in South Dallas at risk of flooding.

After years of research and advocacy, in 1965 Congress approved what was then known as the Lakeview Reservoir. The Congressman Pool saw its project not being completed; he died in 1968.

The Lakeview Area Planning Council took over the management of the construction and planning of the reservoir in the following decades. The Lakeview project exploded quickly, The News reported in May 1978: “The US Army Corps of Engineers” [was] busy buying some of the last vacant lots in Dallas County for one of the most expensive water projects ever built in Texas – a lake that could easily cost 1,200 times what it was to build White Rock Lake 70 years ago. “

In 1983, the lake was officially renamed Joe Pool Lake in a bill signed by President Ronald Reagan. Construction officially began in 1977 and was not completed until almost ten years later, in 1985. It took several more years to supply the area with water.

Although the lake’s original intent was to control flooding and hold water reservoirs, the area also included recreational fun. 1990 one of the “most beautiful marinas” [facilities] in Texas ”opened when the first boats docked in the Lynn Creek Marina on Joe Pool Lake. As the first commercial marina in the area, it was designed with a 4,000 square meter “ship store” and an enclosed fishing pier.

Cedar Hill State Park opened nearby in 1991, another great development on Joe Pool Lake. In the years that followed, the area was home to fun runs, barbecues, boat trips, and even Grand Prairie’s annual Prairie Lights. Joe Pool Lake remains operational.

Would you like to learn more about the local history? Subscribe to the Dallas Morning News at dallasnews.com/archives.

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