General Information
The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, is revising the Master Plan for Town Bluff Dam and B.A. Steinhagen Lake, formerly known as Dam B. 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 Town Bluff Dam and B.A. Steinhagen Lake.
Public Meeting for Public and Agency Input
The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is hosting a public meeting to provide information and receive public input to begin the process of revising the Master Plan for Town Bluff Dam/Steinhagen Lake. No changes to the Master Plan have been proposed at this time, and the public meeting will initiate a 30-day comment period to review the existing Master Plan and provide comments. The public meeting will be held at 6:00 pm on September 15, 2022 at Jasper County Annex 1st Floor Meeting Room, 271 East Lamar, Jasper, TX 75951. The existing Master Plan documents and map are available to download at the bottom of the page as well as a comment form with instructions on how to send comments.
About Town Bluff Dam and B.A. Steinhagen Lake
The project was originally named Dam B, but was later changed to Town Bluff Dam and B.A. Steinhagen Lake in 1967. Town Bluff Dam is located after the convergence of the Neches and Angelina Rivers in northwestern Jasper County, Texas. Town Bluff Dam/B.A. Steinhagen Lake is a multi-purpose project to re-regulate the intermittent power releases of Sam Rayburn Dam, provide head for hydroelectric power and diversion into a water supply canal, and provide some water storage. In addition to these primary missions, USACE has an inherent mission of environmental stewardship of project lands and works closely with neighboring cities to provide regionally important outdoor recreation opportunities. The Southwestern Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, markets the power and energy generated by the hydropower plant to the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency for distribution to its customers in Jasper, Liberty, and Livingston Texas and Vinton, Louisiana. Water releases are utilized by the Lower Neches Valley Authority in Beaumont, Texas, for rice culture, salinity control, pollution abatement, municipal and industrial uses. Construction on the dam was started in 1947 and was completed in 1953. At the Normal pool elevation of 83.0 feet NGVD, the lake surface covers 13,700 acres. B.A. Steinhagen Lake is home to the following parks and recreation areas: Sandy Creek Park, Magnolia Ridge Park, Bluff View Park, Campers Cove Park, East End Park and Martin Dies, Jr. State Park.
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 Town Bluff Dam/B. A. Steinhagen Lake Master Plan?
The initial Master Plan for Town Bluff Dam was published in 1971, with a supplement published in 2003. 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.
Comments may be submitted in person at the meeting, delivered to the project office, online by filling out the Comment Form below and clicking the link provided on the comment form, by mailing the comments to the address below, or via email at the email address provided. Only written comments will be accepted. The comment period begins September 16, 2022 and ends October 16, 2022. Comments and questions pertaining to the Master Plan revision can be addressed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attn: Lake Manager, Town Bluff Lake Office
5171 FM 92 South
Woodville, Texas 75979
Email: TBPO@usace.army.mil