Lake Pat Cleburne, body of water
Lake Pat Cleburne is a large reservoir in Texas built on the Nolan River, located about four miles southwest of the city of Cleburne. The earthfill dam stretches over a mile long, stands about 76 feet tall, and can hold approximately 26,000 acre-feet of water when the lake covers roughly 1,568 acres.
The project was approved in 1962 by the Texas Water Commission, with construction starting in August 1963 and finishing in summer 1964. Originally called Cleburne Reservoir, it was built to control flooding and supply water to the city of Cleburne, surrounding farms, and local industries.
The reservoir is named after Patrick Cleburne, a general from the Civil War era, keeping local history present in the landscape. This naming connects the past with the present and reminds visitors of Texas history as they spend time along the shore.
The lake sits about four miles from the city of Cleburne and has boat ramps for easy access with small boats or kayaks. The surrounding area offers parks and open spaces where visitors can walk, watch birds, or simply enjoy nature, making it a quiet place for a relaxed visit.
The lake holds various fish species including largemouth bass, three kinds of catfish, crappie, and white bass, while shorelines are planted with aquatic plants like water willow, lotus, and cattail. Local biologists and volunteers installed small structures called crappie condos near the dam to provide additional hiding spots for fish.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
