Inks Lake State Park

Last updated

Inks Lake State Park
Devil's Waterhole.jpg
Devil's Waterhole in Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park
Location Burnet County, Texas
Nearest city Burnet
Coordinates 30°43′52″N98°22′14″W / 30.73111°N 98.37056°W / 30.73111; -98.37056
Area1,201 acres (486 ha)
Established1950
Visitors232,690(in 2022) [1]
Governing body Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Website Official website

Inks Lake State Park is a state park located in Burnet County, Texas, United States, next to Inks Lake on the Colorado River. It contains facilities for swimming, camping, hiking, boating, fishing and general enjoyment of the natural beauty. [2] The landscape consists mainly of hills and includes both forest and cleared land made up of mainly gneiss rock. Containing plants such as cedar, live oak, prickly pear cacti, and yuccas. Devil's Waterhole is a small extension of Inks Lake, which is almost completely surrounded by rock. [3]

Contents

History

Historically the park has provided many resources, employment and recreation.

Many locals suggest that native Americans have used the land for hunting, although there is no evidence of such online.

Initial development was begun in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Although the plans were never fulfilled, a boathouse and road system with dozens of stone culverts were constructed. [4]

Geology

Gneiss rock found throughout the park. Overlook of Inks Lake State Park Texas 2023.jpg
Gneiss rock found throughout the park.

The park is located on the eastern edge of a Mesoproterozoic exposure within the Llano Uplift. The local rocks are named for the park as the Inks Lake Gneiss, a granitic gneiss dated at 1,232 million years old. [5]

Rock that appears slightly pink is visible through the limestone rock in the park, a type of metamorphic rock called Valley Spring gneiss. This metamorphic rock is often mistaken for town mountain granite since they are very similar in color and texture. The small granite that only appears in the park has veins cutting through the gneiss in and around the rock. [3]

Over millions of years, intense heat and pressure was frequently applied to the original rock, subsequently forming gneiss rocks. The original rocks were sedimentary (formed from sand, silt, and mud) and igneous (likely granite). [6]

Nature

Animals

The most common mammals in the park are white-tailed deer, raccoon, fox squirrel, nine-banded armadillo, skunk and rabbit. You may occasionally see foxes, ringtail s and coyotes. [7]

Common birds include turkey vultures, black vultures, great blue herons, snowy egrets, mallard and wood ducks, northern cardinals, scissor-tailed flycatchers, Carolina chickadees, Bewick's wrens, red-tailed hawks and house sparrows. There is a bird hide in the park.

A number of reptiles have been documented in the park including, western diamondback rattlesnake, western cottonmouth, Texas coral snake, diamondback water snakes and red-eared sliders.

Flora

Common trees here are Ashe juniper, honey mesquite, cedar elm, live oak, post oak, Texas persimmon, pecan and willow.

Native grasses include blue grama, sideoats grama and buffalograss. Many wildflowers, such as Texas bluebonnets, Indian blankets and Indian paintbrushes, bloom in the spring.

A wide variety of cacti, from the prickly pear to the tasajillo, barrel cactus and lace cactus groin the park. You will also see yucca and beebrush.

Water conditions

Conservation Pool Elevation usually stays around 888.22 ft. msl; however, this lake does fluctuate about 1 foot annually.

Inks lake water clarity can be seen as clear to slightly stained mostly throughout the year. It tends to have higher turbidity during the rainy season due to excessive amounts of runoff.

Although diving and swimming are allowed at the waterhole, no lifeguards are present.

Fishing regulations

All species of fish in the park are currently managed under statewide regulations. Bow fishers on this lake are subject matter to special regulations which are enforced by the LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority). [8]

Angling opportunities

Fish have been stocked previously in the reservoir in the late 1980s and early 1990s and currently presents fishing opportunities. [9]

It includes largemouth bass and Guadalupe bass populations, along with several species of sunfish (bream). White bass are regularly caught in the reservoir, and a small white crappie population is present. Channel and flathead catfish occur throughout the reservoir. [10]

SpeciesPoorFairGoodExcellent
Largemouth Bassx
Catfishx
Crappiex
White & Striped Bassx
Sunfishx

[11]

Fishing cover/structure

Inks Lake offers a wide variety of cover and structure for fish species. The shoreline contains various rock piles, ledges, and rock banks. Brush piles and gravel beds have been placed near fishing piers and other strategic locations to attract more fish.

Several private boat docks, particularly on the west side of the lake, hold fish year-round. Water in the reservoir is fairly clear. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Marble Falls</span> Hydroelectric reservoir near Marble Falls, Texas

Lake Marble Falls is a reservoir on the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country in the United States. The reservoir was formed in 1951 by the construction of Max Starcke Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority. Originally named Marble Falls Dam, the dam was renamed in 1962 for Max Starcke, the second general director of the LCRA. Located near the city of Marble Falls, the lake is used as a venue for aquatic recreation and for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. It is the newest and smallest of the Texas Highland Lakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Lyndon B. Johnson</span> Reservoir in the United States

Lake Lyndon B. Johnson is a reservoir on the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country about 45 miles northwest of Austin. The reservoir was formed in 1950 by the construction of Granite Shoals Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The Colorado River and the Llano River meet in the northern portion of the lake at Kingsland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Buchanan (Texas)</span> Man-made lake in Texas, United States

Lake Buchanan was formed by the construction of Buchanan Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority to provide a water supply for the region and to provide hydroelectric power. Buchanan Dam, a structure over 2 mi (3.2 km) in length, was completed in 1939. Lake Buchanan was the first of the Texas Highland Lakes to be formed, and with 22,333 acres of surface water, it is also the largest. The surface of the lake includes area in both Burnet and Llano Counties. The lake is west of the city of Burnet, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge</span> National Wildlife Refuge near Muleshoe, Texas

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge is a 6,440-acre (26.1 km2) wildlife refuge located about 20 mi (32 km) south of Muleshoe, Texas, on Texas State Highway 214. It is the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, having been established as the Muleshoe Migratory Waterfowl Refuge by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1940 to change the name to the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. In 1980, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enchanted Rock</span> Rock formation and protected area in central Texas

Enchanted Rock is a pink granite mountain located in the Llano Uplift about 17 miles (27 km) north of Fredericksburg, Texas and 24 miles (39 km) south of Llano, Texas, United States. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which includes Enchanted Rock and surrounding land, spans the border between Gillespie and Llano counties, south of the Llano River. Enchanted Rock covers roughly 640 acres (260 ha) and rises around 425 feet (130 m) above the surrounding terrain to an elevation of 1,825 feet (556 m) above sea level. It is the largest pink granite monadnock in the United States. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a part of the Texas state park system, includes 1,644 acres (665 ha). In 1936, the area was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. In 1971, Enchanted Rock was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Whitney (Texas)</span> Reservoir in Texas, United States

Lake Whitney is a flood control reservoir on the main stem of the Brazos River in Texas. It is located on River Mile Marker 442 and controls drainage for 17,656 square miles (45,730 km2) of Texas and parts of New Mexico. The reservoir encompasses a surface area of more than 23,500 acres and 225 miles (362 km) of shoreline. The area consists of rolling, tallgrass prairies; cedar trees; hardwood timber; and 100 ft (30 m) bluffs and rock points. Lake Whitney is also part of the Texas Lakes Trail Region of North Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway</span> Protected area in Briscoe County, Texas with 64 mile trail over former railroad right-of-way

Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is a Texas state park located along the eastern edge of the Llano Estacado in Briscoe County, Texas, United States, approximately 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Amarillo. The state park opened in 1982 and is 15,314 acres (6,197 ha) in size, making it the third-largest state park in Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedernales Falls State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Pedernales Falls State Park is a 5,212-acre state park situated along the banks of the Pedernales River in Blanco County, Texas in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Bend Ranch State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Big Bend Ranch State Park is a 311,000-acre (126,000 ha) state park located on the Rio Grande in Brewster and Presidio counties, Texas. It is the largest state park in Texas. The closest major town is Presidio, Texas. The state park's head office is located in Lajitas, Texas at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center. It includes Colorado Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government Canyon State Natural Area</span> Protected area in Texas, United States

First opened to the public in October, 2005, Government Canyon State Natural Area (GCSNA) preserves 12,244 acres of rugged hills and canyons typical of the Texas Hill Country. It is designated a Natural Area, rather than a State Park, and therefore the primary focus is maintenance and protection of the property's natural state. Accordingly, access and recreational activities may be restricted if the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) deems such action necessary to protect the environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Bob Sandlin State Park</span> State park in Northeast Texas

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a state park in Titus County, Texas managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The park covers 639.8 acres of land on the northern shore Lake Bob Sandlin about 10 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant.

Kirby Lake is a 740-acre man-made reservoir located on the south side of Abilene, Texas, just east of Highway 83, in the northeastern portion of Taylor County. Kirby Lake is within the Brazos River Basin, meaning that Cedar Creek, which feeds Kirby Lake, eventually feeds into the Brazos River. Kirby Lake resides in the Red Prairies portion of the Central Great Plains ecoregion. Management is under the City of Abilene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Llano River State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

South Llano River State Park is a 2600 acre state park located along the South Llano River in Kimble County, Texas. The park opened to the public in 1990 and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is an undeveloped 4,000 plus acre state park in Palo Pinto and Stephens County, Texas near the City of Strawn. The park is located in the Western Cross Timbers Ecoregion. The park is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department which bought the property from private landowners in October 2011 with the assistance of The Nature Conservancy. The park is not yet open to the public.

Painted Rocks State Park is a public recreation area located at the southern end Painted Rocks Reservoir, 24 miles (39 km) south of Darby, Montana. The state park received its name from the green, yellow and orange lichens which cover the grey and black rock walls of the granite and rhyolite cliffs. The park has Bortle scale class 1 skies which makes the state park a great place for astronomy as it is far away from light pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Meridian State Park is a state park in Bosque County, Texas, United States. The park is 505 acres (204 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Creek Lake State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Martin Creek Lake State Park is a 286 acres (116 ha) developed recreational area in East Texas in the United States. The park is located southwest of Tatum on Martin Creek Lake in Rusk County and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Texas Utilities Generating Company deeded the park to the state in 1976, and it opened the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Whitney State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Lake Whitney State Park is a state park located in Hill County, Texas, near Whitney, Texas. The park is 775 acres (314 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Colorado City State Park</span> State park in Texas, United States

Lake Colorado City State Park is a 500-acre state park southwest of Colorado City in Mitchell County, Texas, United States and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Lake Colorado City State Park is located on Lake Colorado City, a reservoir on Morgan Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. The park opened in 1972.

References

  1. Christopher Adams (February 24, 2023). "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  2. "Inks Lake State Park | Nature Rocks Austin". naturerocksaustin.org. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Inks Lake State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. "Interpretative guide to Inks Lake State Park and Longhorn Tavern State Park" (PDF). Texas Parks and Wildlife: 2. 2021.
  5. Reese, Joseph F., et al., Mesoproterozoic chronostratigraphy of the southeastern Llano uplift, central Texas, Geological Society of America Bulletin 2000;112;278-291
  6. "Inks Lake State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  7. "Inks Lake State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  8. "Fishing Inks Lake". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  9. "Inks Reservoir Survey Report". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  10. "Fishing Inks Lake". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  11. "Fishing Inks Lake". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  12. "Fishing Inks Lake". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2020.