Benbrook Lake Master Plan Revision

Benbrook Lake
 

General Information

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is revising the Benbrook Lake Master Plan. The Master Plan is intended to serve as a comprehensive land and recreational management plan with a life span of 25 years. It guides the stewardship of natural and cultural resources and the provision of outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities to ensure sustainability of federal land associated with Benbrook Lake.

About Benbrook Lake

Benbrook Lake is in the Trinity River Basin and is located in Tarrant County. The lake proper is bordered by the cities of Fort Worth and Benbrook as well as unincorporated Tarrant County. When originally built, the dam and lake’s purpose were primarily flood control and navigation. Today the lake and dam is a multi-purpose reservoir for flood control, water supply, fish and wildlife management, recreation, and future navigation. In addition to these primary missions, USACE has an inherent mission of environmental stewardship of project lands and works closely the cities of Fort Worth and Benbrook to provide regionally important outdoor recreation opportunities. Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 controls the water supply aspect of Benbrook Lake. The dam at Benbrook Lake was completed in 1950, and impoundment began in 1952. At the conservation (normal) pool elevation of 694.0 feet NGVD, the lake covers 3,635 acres. Benbrook Lake is home to Holiday Park, Bear Creek Park, Mustang Park, Rocky Creek Park, Longhorn Park, Pecan Valley Park (operated by the city of Fort Worth), and Dutch Branch Park (operated by the city of Benbrook).

What is a Master Plan?

The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resources project. Revision of the Master Plan will not address in detail the technical operational aspects of the reservoir related to the water supply or flood risk management missions of the project.

Why Revise the Benbrook Lake Master Plan?

The current Master Plan for Benbrook Lake was published in March 1972. Since then, many changes have taken place including major utility and highway construction, urbanization, and evolving recreational uses. The Plan and the land classifications are in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Master Plan include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special topics such as invasive species management and protection of sensitive wildlife habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.

The Master Planning Process

Related Files

September 2021

April 2021

August 2019