Buchanan Dam is one of the marvels of human ingenuity not only for its
engineering beauty, but also for the visionaries who saw the potential
advantages it could bring to Central Texas. Sixty years old this year, the dam
created Lake Buchanan, the largest and northernmost of the chain of six lakes
called the Highland Lakes. At more than two miles long, Buchanan Dam is considered to be the longest
multiple-arch dam in the U.S. One of the most amazing views in the Hill
Country is from the walkway along the top of the dam 145.5 feet above the
churning Colorado River on one side and the lake on the other.
The local Chamber of Commerce operates a visitors center and gift shop at the
dam on TX29 between Burnet and Llano. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
has a museum documenting the history of the area and the building of the six
dams between Buchanan and Austin. There is even a post office at the dam that
marks mail with their own postmark.
Designated areas at the dam include a beach and a fishing pier. There also is
an observation deck to give visitors a better view of the lake and the
surrounding area.
For much of the 20th century, Texans have been trying to control and take
advantage of the Colorado River. During extreme drought conditions, the river
would run at a trickle that could easily be stepped over. During the rainy
seasons the river would flood to monstrous proportions that would devastate the
farms and settlements along its banks.
As early as 1854, pioneers had seen the potential for harnessing the flow of
the Colorado River north of Burnet. Plans for the dam got underway as early as
1926, but construction did not begin until 1931. It was the height of the
Depression and the 1,500 construction jobs were a welcome relief to unemployed
Texans. Unfortunately, the project lasted less than a year before the company
managing the construction went bankrupt.
The partially built dam and related assets were then obtained by Alvin Wirtz,
a former state senator and lobbyist. With the help of Congressman J.P. Buchanan
of Brenham, Wirtz convinced President Roosevelt and the Public Works
Administration to loan the Texans $4.5 million to build four dams along the
Colorado River for water storage, irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric
power.
The federal money came with the requirement that construction and ownership of
the dams be placed in the hands of a public agency. It took Wirtz et
al., three legislative sessions to get approval to create the Lower
Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Some of the strongest opposition came from
Dallas legislators representing private utility companies. Dallas got the 1936
Centennial celebration Fair Park, and Central Texas received the Highland Lakes
in the deal.
At a time when wages were between 40cents-$1, the multiple-arch construction
was labor-intensive, but used fewer building materials than other designs. The
37 arches of the dam were completed in 1937 and the powerhouse was generating
electricity by 1938.
Lake Buchanan is the largest of the Highland Lakes, covering 23,060 acres and
measuring more than 30 miles in length. The rugged north shore is home to bald
eagles who winter at the lake from November to March. There are numerous lodges
and resorts along the shore; for a list of accommodations, contact the Chamber
of Commerce at 512/793-2803.
The river channel creates the boundary between Llano and Burnet counties. On
the Llano County side, Black Rock Park on FM261 is a popular camping and
swimming park with restrooms and a boat ramp. Further north on FM261, Cedar
Point Park is the largest public park on the lake. It covers three miles of
shoreline but offers no facilities. Fall Creek Vineyards is a little further
north of the park on FM2241 (512/476-4477).
On the Burnet County side of the lake, FM2341 takes you to Vanishing Texas
River Cruises (512/756-6986). Burnet County Park past White Bluff is a small
park with campsites and a boat ramp. Closer to the dam and off FM690, Burnet
Park has a boat ramp. Canyon of the Eagles Park will open in 1998 on the
northern end of the lake.
The LCRA publishes several guides to the Highland Lakes and the Colorado River
including the Lake Buchanan Recreation Map, Highland Lakes Camping and Boating
Guide, and Explorer’s Guide. For more information or to order a publication,
call the LCRA, at 473-4036 (800/776-5272 outside of Austin) or visit
http://www.lcra.org. Buchanan and Wirtz dams are currently closed to tours, but
to schedule a tour of Mansfield Dam, call 473-3270.
Coming up this weekend…
Kerrville Folk Festival brings 18 days of music to the Quiet Valley Ranch
south of town on TX16, May 22-June 8. 210/257-3600.
Memorialfest `97 brings a free jazz concert to Marble Falls’ Johnson Park
beginning at 8pm, May 23. 210/693-8459.
Trinkets & Treasures sale at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 315 W. Jones,
offers a collection of bargain-basement items on sale to benefit the museum,
10am-4pm, May 24. 210/829-7262.
Coming up…
Texas Fiddlers’ Contest and Reunion in Athens has been happening since the
1930s, May 30. 903/675-1859.
National Polka Festival offers lots of dancing, arts & crafts, and Czech
food in Ennis, May 30- June 1. 888/366-4748.
This article appears in May 23 • 1997 and May 23 • 1997 (Cover).
