How Deep Is Cedar Creek Reservoir in Texas?

The Cedar Creek Reservoir (also known as the Joe B. Hogsett Dam) is an artificial lake in East Texas. One of the largest lakes in Texas, Cedar Creek, serves as a significant water source for Fort Worth and other cities around it. This artificial lake drains an area of 1,000 square miles and has a surface area of 32,623 acres. Cedar Creek Reservoir is undoubtedly one of the largest lakes in Texas, but how deep is it? This post details all you need to know about the depth of this creek and other interesting facts about it. 

How Deep Is the Cedar Creek Reservoir?

Cedar Creek Reservoir is a man-made lake located in Texas, specifically in Henderson and Kaufman counties. It has an average depth of 62 feet and spans 18 miles in length and two miles in width. It is also the fourth-largest lake in Texas in terms of land area. The reservoir is situated on Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River, and its elevation is 340 feet above sea level. The lake is held back by a 91-foot-tall and 17,539-foot-long dam.

Fort Worth and other communities in Tarrant and Johnson counties get their water supply from the lake. The Tarrant Regional Water District owns it. Thousands of vacationers visit annually to engage in a wide range of recreational activities. 

History of the Cedar Creek Reservoir

The Cedar Creek Reservoir was constructed for municipal water supply, recreational purposes, and flood control. Construction of the rolled earthfill embankment began in April 1961 and was completed in 1965.

While Freese, Nichols, and Endress Consulting Engineers designed the project, SA Construction was the general contractor in charge of it. After its completion in 1965, deliberate impoundment of the water started on the 2nd of July. On completion, the reservoir became the fourth water source that served the Tarrant Regional Water District.

Fishing at the Cedar Creek Reservoir 

Cedar Creek Reservoir is deep enough to allow non-motorized boats. People who want to engage in fishing activities can do so from the dock or go out on their boats. Hunting is not allowed in the area, but other activities, such as boating, water sports, and bird watching, are permitted. 

The Cedar Creek Reservoir is home to several species of fish. They include blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, and crappie.

The most productive fishing spots for largemouth bass are in the lake’s southern part. It’s easier to fish here because the water is clearer than the rest of the creek. The grass beds on the south end of the lake also provide great spots for fishing. The bed produces plenty of largemouth bass. 

Anglers often visit the lake for catfish angling, too. Catfish are common throughout the lake, but blue catfish are more prevalent than channel catfish. Aside from the lake, anglers targeting flathead and blue catfish can also target the small streams, runoffs, and creeks that flow into the lake, as these are good fishing grounds. 

The best time to fish on Cedar Creek Lake is in the spring and early summer. You can use different methods to fish on Cedar Creek Lake depending on the type of fish you’re hoping to catch. Anglers in search of bass typically use Texas rigged worms, buzz baits, crankbaits, and frogs. Goldfish, shad, and small perch are the usual baits for catfish angling.

Recreational Activities at the Cedar Creek Reservoir 

The Cedar Creek Reservoir provides access to various recreational opportunities thanks to its depth and length. The reservoir has a 536-acre park and a 393-acre wooded countryside built around it. The lake has three islands under the management of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The island parks are designated areas to protect wildlife and aquatic birds in the area. 

Access to the Cedar Creek Reservoir 

Several private ramps and two public boat ramps provide access to the lake. The public ramps are located at Chamber Island and County Ramp. The two public ramps are still in operation for access to the reservoir. However, some private ramps may be hard to use during certain seasons of the year, especially when the water level in the reservoir is low. The facilities available also vary from one ramp to the other. 

Water Transfer in the Reservoir

Cedar Creek Reservoir was built by Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) for municipal water supply. TRWD currently provides water services to over 10 Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) counties.

Raw water is brought from Cedar Creek and transported through the East Texas pipeline to a location close to Waxahachie, Texas, where it combines with water from Richland Chambers. The pipeline supplies water on a grid to numerous water treatment plants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where it may be put directly or indirectly into the regional water supply.

Can You Swim in Cedar Creek Lake?

You may be wondering if swimming is possible in Cedar Creek Lake due to its depth. The good news is that you can indeed swim in Cedar Creek Reservoir, as it offers many great swimming spots.

Particularly, the different coves on the eastern side of the lake allow visitors to take a swim. Although swimming is also possible on weekends, it’s best to do so during the week because the boat traffic around the coves is less. It is better to swim in the coves compared to the central part of the lake because the water there is calmer and safer. Some of the top places to swim at the Cedar Creek Reservoir include Aqua World, Tom Finley Park, Cherokee Landing, and Purtis Creek State Park. 

Where Is Cedar Creek Lake Located on a Map?

Cedar Creek Lake is in Henderson and Kaufman counties. It is 50 miles southeast of Dallas, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 94 miles away. It’s 15 miles west of Athens and around 80 miles southeast of Fort Worth. The reservoir is about two-and-half hours from Houston.

Conclusion 

The Cedar Creek Reservoir is about 62 feet deep. It is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in Texas. In addition to its use for municipal water supply, the lake also provides plenty of opportunities for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © JWinTX (talk) (Uploads) / Creative Commons – License / Original