Lady Bird Lake

Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River covering 190 hectares (468 acres) and reaching a maximum depth of 5.5 meters (18 feet), forming a natural boundary between North and South Austin. Water flows continuously through the system, connecting Lake Austin upstream with the outlet toward Matagorda Bay downstream.

The reservoir formed in 1960 when Longhorn Dam was built to create a cooling pond for the Holly Power Plant. The plant remained operational until 2017, when it was decommissioned.

The original name Town Lake was changed in 2007 to honor Lady Bird Johnson, the former First Lady who championed city beautification efforts. Locals gather along the shoreline for jogging, cycling, or simply watching the skyline, while rowing clubs train here regularly.

Swimming has been prohibited since 1964, but kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing are allowed as long as only electric motors are used. The surrounding trail offers shaded sections and public access at several points along the shoreline.

The pass-through nature of the reservoir means water never stagnates, constantly fed by Lake Austin and Barton Springs and moving onward toward the coast. This flow maintains water quality but also prevents swimming due to shifting currents.