Canyon Lake Master Plan Revision

Whitney LakeGeneral Information

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is revising the Canyon 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 Canyon Lake.

About Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake construction was completed in 1964 to serve primarily as a flood mitigation and water conservation project, with authorization to construct hydroelectric power facilities. The reservoir and adjacent areas have been developed for recreational purposes and the conservation of fish and wildlife resources and habitat. While maintaining the primary purpose of the reservoir as flood control, a record-breaking drought in Texas during the 1950s created an additional emphasis on reservoirs serving as water storage facilities for Texas residents, communities, businesses, agriculture, and others. The current Master Plan, which guides long-range land and water use planning, is dated December 1970.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir Facts about Canyon Lake:
  • Construction of Canyon Dam was initiated in 1958 and was completed for flood control and water conservation 1964.
  • At conservation (normal) pool elevation (909 feet NGVD) the reservoir covers 8,240 acres.
  • The shoreline at the top of the conservation pool is over 80 miles long.
  • There are 2,747 acres of land above the conservation pool.

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.

Why Revise the Canyon Lake Master Plan?

The current Master Plan for Canyon Lake was prepared in 1970 and is 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 threatened and endangered species habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan

The Master Plan Process

Related Files

December 2017

December 1970

July 20, 2017 Public Meeting

March 18, 2016 Public Meeting