Lake Alan Henry, Reservoir in Panhandle Plains Region, Texas, US

Lake Alan Henry is a 2,880-acre reservoir on the Double Mountain Fork Brazos River, held back by the John T. Montford Dam about 4 miles east of Justiceburg. It runs 11 miles with over 56 miles of shoreline, and flooded trees stand in the water. The surface is deep blue with fine ripples, and a pale, eroded hilly shore borders the far side.

The lake came into existence in the early 1990s when the John T. Montford Dam was constructed as a water supply project. This project was built to serve the growing water needs of the nearby city of Lubbock.

Lake Alan Henry is named for a former mayor of Lubbock, while its dam honours state senator John Thomas Montford, who pushed the reservoir legislation. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocked the lake from 1993 with largemouth bass, white crappie, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. A mercury advisory applies to certain fish species, so anglers should check current rules before keeping a catch.

The lake has multiple boat ramps and parking areas at different locations around the shoreline. The Sam Wahl Recreation Area serves as a good starting point with camping spots and docking facilities.

The reservoir is named for a former mayor of Lubbock, while its dam honors State Senator John Thomas Montford for his legislative work on the project. The dam was completed in 1991 and began operating in 1993. The lake lies about 1,000 feet lower than Lubbock, which is why water must be pumped uphill to reach the city.