Lake Georgetown is an easy commute from Austin especially North Austin. It’s located due North of Austin and 34 miles from the downtown area. Lake Georgetown is a popular summer recreational area offering opportunities for people of all ages. I have personally visited the lake on Photo Adventures a few times now. There are two main campground areas for overnight Tent or RV Camping with water and power and a dump station but no sewer hookups. Showers and bathrooms are available the cleanliness of each is determined by the reviewer.

The campgrounds were built and are maintained by Army Corp of Engineers. The day use and over night fees are reasonable. I am choosing not to quote the current prices because prices will change over time and i do not want to mislead anyone. Cedar Breaks and Jim Hogg are the names of the campgrounds. i will be doing a post on Jim Hogg Park and campground soon and you can use the search field to find it. When visiting keep an eye out for deer as you drive in as they are more common than squirrels.

History of Lake Georgetown

Lake Georgetown is a reservoir on the north fork of the San Gabriel River in central Texas in the United States. It is located about three miles west of Georgetown, Texas. The lake was created by the construction of the North San Gabriel Dam, which was completed in 1975.

The project to build Lake Georgetown was initiated in 1968 by the Texas Water Development Board. The primary purpose of the lake is to provide water for municipal and industrial use, as well as for flood control. The lake also provides recreation opportunities, such as fishing, boating, and camping.

Capacity and Water Supply

Lake Georgetown has a capacity of 1.1 million acre-feet of water. The average annual inflow to the lake is 350,000 acre-feet. The lake is used to supply water to the cities of Georgetown and Round Rock, as well as to the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District. The lake also provides water for industrial use in the area.

Electricity Generation

Lake Georgetown does not generate electricity. However, the North San Gabriel Dam does have a hydroelectric power plant that can generate up to 12 megawatts of electricity. The power plant is owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Stability and Problems

Lake Georgetown is considered to be a stable reservoir. However, there have been some problems with the dam. In 2005, a crack was discovered in the dam. The crack was repaired, but it raised concerns about the safety of the dam.

Construction and Materials

The North San Gabriel Dam is a concrete gravity dam. It is 235 feet tall and 1,600 feet long. The dam was constructed using concrete, steel, and rock. The materials for the dam were mostly sourced from the local area.

Cost and Maintenance

The cost to build Lake Georgetown was $150 million. The annual maintenance cost for the lake is about $1 million. The lake is expected to last for at least 500 years.

River Dammed

The North San Gabriel Dam dams the north fork of the San Gabriel River. The San Gabriel River is a tributary of the Brazos River. The San Gabriel River originates in the Hill Country of central Texas and flows southeast to the Brazos River.

Fish Species

Lake Georgetown is home to a variety of fish species, including white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie. The lake is also a popular fishing destination for striped bass.

Pollution

There are some pollution issues in Lake Georgetown. The lake is affected by runoff from agricultural fields and urban areas. This runoff can contain nutrients and sediment that can pollute the water. The lake is also affected by zebra mussels, which are an invasive species. Zebra mussels can clog water intakes and damage boats.

Depth

The average depth of Lake Georgetown is 55 feet. The maximum depth of the lake is 130 feet.

Recreation

Lake Georgetown is a popular recreation destination. The lake offers opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and hiking. There are also several parks and recreation areas located around the lake.

Freezing

Lake Georgetown does not freeze over completely. However, the lake can become ice-covered on the surface during cold winters.

Water Temperature

The water temperature in Lake Georgetown varies depending on the time of year. The warmest water is in the summer, when the temperature can reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest water is in the winter, when the temperature can drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Invasive Species

There are several invasive species in Lake Georgetown, including zebra mussels, Asian carp, and Hydrilla. Zebra mussels are a small, freshwater clam that can clog water intakes and damage boats. Asian carp are a large, invasive fish that can out compete native fish species. Hydrilla is a fast-growing aquatic plant that can clog waterways.