The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, June 25, 2004 Page: 97 of 108
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THE CUFTON RECORD — BOSQUE COUNTY, U.S.A.
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2004
77
Lake Whitney Pageant...Popular Annual Event
Lake Whitney State Park...
Popular Recreation Mecca
LAGUNA PARK - Recognized as
one of the best recreational lakes in the
state, Lake Whitney offers clear water,
scenic bluffs, a relatively mild climate,
and excellent fishing, swimming, and
boating opportunities, attracting an es-
timated two million visitors each year.
Lake Whitney was originally autho-
rized by Congress in 1941. However,
World War II pushed construction back
to 1947, with the project completed in
1951. The primary purpose of the lake
was, and still is, flood control. Other
purposes of the lake include water con-
servation and the production of hydro-
electric power.
The lake’s “normal” or conservation
pool level is 533 feet above sea level,
while the top of the flood pool is at 571
feet. There are 23,500 surface-acres of
water when the lake is at the conser-
vation pool level and 49,820 surface-
acres of water when the lake is at the
top of the flood pool.
Lake Whitney offers some of the best
outdoor recreation in Texas for a day
of relaxation, a weekend getaway, or an
“out of the mainstream” vacation spot.
Whitney has great camping, picnicking,
day use, and group facilities available.
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks,
one state park, and four additional
parks managed by Hill County or pri-
vate individuals. Corps parks include
Cedar Creek, Cedron Creek, Kimball
Bend, Lofers Bend Day Use/East
Lofers Bend/West Lofers Bend,
McCown Valley/McCown Valley Day
Use, Plowman Creek, Riverside, Sol-
diers Bluff, Steele Creek, and Walling
Bend. Equestrian riders have a great
place to explore rolling hills and woods
in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
For those who like to operate boats
and other watercraft, several boat
ramps are available, including double-
lane ramps at Cedar Creek, Cedron
Creek, Kimball Bend, Lofers Bend Day
Use Area, Plowman Creek, and Wall-
ing Bend. Lofers Bend East offers a
double- and a single-lane ramp, and
Lofers Bend West has a single-lane
ramp. Steele Creek offers a double-lane
and a single-lane ramp, and McCown
Valley has a triple-lane ramp. Some
fees are applicable depending on the
ramp’s location.
Whitney provides some excellent
fishing opportunities, including large-
mouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth
bass, white (sand) bass, striped and hy-
brid striped bass, white crappie, black
crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish,
fiathead catfish, and many other spe-
cies.
The Whitney Lake Hunting Program
provides great opportunities for hunt-
ing in Central Texas. Individuals pos-
sessing a hunting permit can hunt
several Wildlife Management Areas at
Whitney Lake, which are found in parts
of Hill, Bosque, and Johnson Counties.
Hunters can pursue dove, squirrel, rab-
bits, waterfowl, turkey, and deer during
legal state open seasons.
Approximately 14,000 acres in desig-
nated areas around Whitney Lake are
available for public hunting, but some
portions of these areas may be leased
for cattle grazing, or used by hikers,
bird watchers, mountain bike riders, or
horseback riders.
A 550-acre block in Hill County is
scheduled to be closed to public hunt-
ing during the first 10 days of Novem-
ber for special hunting events for
disabled hunters. Individuals inter-
ested in participating or volunteering
for the event can contact Ranger Brady
Dempsey at (254) 622-3332 for informa-
tion.
Be sure to check with the Whitney
Lake Office at (254) 622-3332) prior to
each hunting season to find out about
new regulations or changes in existing
regulations. Also, be aware that each
Corps of Engineers Lake will have their
individual hunting regulations and poli-
cies.
There are two Corps of Engineers
swim beaches on Lake Whitney. One is
located in McCown Valley Day Use Park
off of Farm Road 1713, with the other
situated in Lofers Bend Day Use Park
off of State Highway 22, on the eastern
side of the dam. The cost for use of
these areas is $1 per person, but no
more than $4 per vehicle. The McCown
Valley swim beach is also accessible to
those camping in McCown Valley Park.
For more information about recre-
ational opportunities at Lake Whitney,
visit the Corps’ website (www.swf-
wc.usace.army.mil/whitney/pages/
Index.htm), or visit the Whitney Lake
Office, located at 285 County Road 3602
in Laguna Park, or call the office at (254)
622-3332.
U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 5-15
Protects Lake Whitney’s Boaters
WHITNEY — The U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary Flotilla 5-15 was chartered in
November of 1978 by a group of boat-
ers interested in boating safety and
looking for a way to make Whitney Lake
a safer lake to enjoy. As the membership
has changed through the years, the fo-
cus has remained the same.
The organization serves both
Bosque and Hill Counties, and is active
in the area of public education, offer-
ing several courses to educate stu-
dents in basic boating techniques and
make them aware of the rules and
regulations. Another active area of the
flotilla is the Vessel Safety Checks
where members offer free vessel safety
checks of boats and their equipment.
Flotilla members also direct their ef-
forts in safety patrols on Whitney Lake.
Trained members patrol the lake in
their own boats, offering assistance to
anyone in trouble on the water.
The members enjoy a lot of fellows!''y
with each other and also other
auxiliarists from other lakes and coastal
areas around the country. The flotilla
meets on the third Saturday of every
month at the McCown Valley Commu-
nity Center, located on Farm Road 1713
northwest of Whitney. The meetings
begin at 9:30 a.m., and visitors are al-
ways welcome.
Fbr more information about the Flotilla,
coniact Operations Officer Teny Lyons at
(254) 622-2346 or Public Education Office
Laura Deniz at (817) 467-2222, or visit the
website (www.lakewffiitnQfiotilla515.org).
FOR ALL
YOUR NEEDS
GROCERIES - GAS
BEER - TACKLE
Your One Stop
Bait & Tackle Shop
In Laguna Park
West End of Dam
Russ - Sally - Kevin
622-3629
ATM/Pulse
Cliffmw Resort
Cliffview Resort has just about everything anyone would need
for a relaxing, fun filled, family vacation or group outing.
Included in the wide array of guest accomodations are cabins of
several sizes, motel rooms, and group complexes.
Recreational activities include fishing bam, swimming pools,
and playground. Boat rentals are also available. Children can enjoy
a variety of waterfowl, a pot-bellied pig, rabbits, and other pets.
Family friendly Cliffview Resort is located just off Hwy. 22,
West of the Whitney Dam in Laguna Park.
For more information call 254-622-8897 or visit us on the web
at www.CliffviewResort.info.
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Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, June 25, 2004, newspaper, June 25, 2004; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth791129/m1/97/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.