Ray Roberts Lake Master Plan Revision

Ray Roberts Lake
Photo Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

About Ray Roberts Lake

Ray Roberts Lake is located on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River portions of Denton, Cooke, and Grayson Counties, Texas. The region around the lake has experienced rapid growth in recent years, mostly due to suburban growth within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Ray Roberts Dam and Lake are a multi-purpose project used for flood control, water supply, hydropower, fish and wildlife, and recreation. In addition to these primary missions, USACE has an inherent mission of environmental stewardship of project lands and works closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department neighboring cities and counties to provide regionally important outdoor recreation opportunities.

The cities of Dallas and Denton have contracted with the USACE for the use of Ray Roberts Lake water supply. Construction on the dam was started in 1982 and was completed in 1987. At the conservation (normal) pool elevation of 632.5 feet NGVD, the lake surface covers 28,646 acres. Ray Roberts Lake is home to many parks and recreation areas and includes boat ramps, trails, hiking, fishing, and other recreation opportunities.

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 Ray Roberts Lake Master Plan?

The current Master Plan for Ray Roberts Lake was published in 1983 with a supplement published in 2001. 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 2022

May 2022

May 2020