2019
Highland Lakes Visitors’ Guide
Published by THe Highlander & Burnet Bulletin
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Above left, Burnet County Judge James Oakley captures a vibrant sunset on a trip down in the Florida Keys. At right, Oakley never misses the chance to capture the many colors of a Texas sunset at his family cabin on Lake Buchanan. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY
County judge uses camera to capture area life
Every picture tells a story for Oakley By Savanna Gregg Highland Lakes Newspapers
W
ith a perceptive eye trained toward the future of Burnet County, Judge James Oakley uses that same focus to capture stunning images of lake country life that surrounds him. His photos highlight the beauty and serenity of the breathtaking features of the Highland Lakes area and candid moments shared between his community members, and would rival any professional portrait or landscape photographer. As Burnet County Judge, James Oakley wears many hats.
Throughout the day, Oakley spends his time overseeing operations in emergency management, human resources, communications, environmental services, and many other departments that keep things in Burnet County rolling. Though he leads a busy life, Oakley makes it
Candid photos are some of Oakley’s favorites, such as this special photo of his father, Roy Oakley, which he took on a trip to Bonanza Beach at Lake Buchanan. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 3
Above, never one to miss an interesting shot, Oakley snaps a spontaneous shot of a friend’s dog at a get-together. At left, Oakley captured fire-fighting efforts at the 2018 fire on County Road 108 in Burnet as a plane drops flame retardant.
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Oakley captures Burnet County Pct. 3 Commissioner Billy Wall in action at the Fort Croghan fish fry. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY a point to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life, appreciating his surroundings with the eye of a photographer, and producing photos for the enjoyment of the communities he serves. “I can’t sing, I can’t draw, but I have been blessed with the ability to capture what I see,” Oakley said. “It stems back from my younger years, when my dad played slide shows for the family. He would show photos of his time in the military, on vacation, things like that, and he would have me set up the screen and get it going, so that intrigued me.” After graduating from Burnet High School, Oakley earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from
Texas State University. Oakley spent ten years in corporate communications and public relations, and gained photography experience working for News and Information Services. Oakley developed skills in capturing perfect angles, lighting, and interesting objects and people in various environments, relying on his camera to paint a picture of how he saw his world. Today, Oakley still relies on the good old camera, but he appreciates the convenience of cell phones and their ability to snap a picture when he sees something worth keeping. “Photography is so easy today,” Oakley said. “With phones, you always have a camera with you so that
Oakley attends and photographs community events, and captured his stepson, Faith Academy basketball player Aaron Marks, on his way to a basket in a 2019 game. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY
Another unique sunset boasts the array of colors in the Highland Lakes sky reflected on the water. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 5
convenience factor, along with the ease of share, is very satisfying.” Oakley remembers the Olympus camera slogan, “Never Miss Another ‘O,’” and lives by it, always capturing and sharing his special “oh!” moments. “It is all about spontaneity,” Oakley said. “You have to be there.” Oakley’s subjects range from landscapes to sunsets, from animals to people, and his goal is to capture his reality as he sees it. “I like to be a sniper on people and photograph them when they don’t know they are having their picture taken,” Oakley said. “It is about imagery. I like to use my photos to illustrate an event; I don’t like creating a picture.” As a county official, Oakley uses his photography skills as a way of providing information for the community as well, and enjoys sending photos to local media outlets, inviting them to use what they need in order to inform their readers of events or ongoing community projects. “I take photos from a journalist’s standpoint,”
Oakley said. “I appreciate how they see things and like to use my photos as a communication tool.” The busy life of an elected official can become hectic, but Oakley relies on quiet evenings at home watching – and capturing – the unique sunsets over Lake Travis as his chance take a cleansing breath and appreciate the beauty of his world. “Photography is my little way of decompressing, basically in my backyard sitting in solitude on a cliff by the lake as the birds fly by,” Oakley said. “Working in the public, I meet a lot of people and different personalities and this gives me a break and a chance to cleanse that all off. You can’t take those moments for granted. You have to capture it.”
About our cover … Our cover photo was taken by Judge James Oakley, who captured a jet-skiier flowing through the waves of Lake Travis against a vibrant sunset.
At a wedding, Oakley noticed the rays of the setting sun across his wife Julie’s face — the perfect photo opportunity. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY
Oakley’s popular photos among his community are the vibrant sunsets he often captures. 6 • 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY
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A family man, Oakley enjoys taking photos of his loved ones, such as nephew Gavin Oakley, on a fishing trip. CONTRIBUTED/JAMES OAKLEY
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Families cultivate memories on Lake Buchanan
Fishing guides inspire ‘new wave’ of anglers
E
By Nathan Hendrix Highland Lakes Newspapers
veryone interested in fishing can recall their first catch and certainly remembers it fondly. Memories like that are the ones we aim to recreate when we have children of our own. However, the first fishing trip is a pivotal one for a child. If the fish aren’t biting and nothing is caught, it may ruin their opinion of fishing forever. But there is good news for those visiting the Highland Lakes area to experience the unique fishing atmosphere of Lake Buchanan and for those wanting to introduce the magic of fishing to their children. There are over 20 fishing
guides in the area, including Captain Jackie Headrick of Empty Pockets Fishing Guide Service. Captain Jackie specializes in catching striped bass. The waterway was known for its large population of stripers, but the historic flood of October 2018 dwindled the numbers by washing them downstream out of the lake. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
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Captain Jackie Headrick of Empty Pockets Fishing Guide Service said he enjoys working with families because of the memories they create. Above, some of Captain Jackie’s happy customers are pictured at his business’ dock on Lake Buchanan. CONTRIBUTED
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striped bass do not naturally reproduce in Lake Buchanan and must be stocked by the agency to at least maintain numbers. “We used to have a great stocking program on this lake,” said Captain Jackie. “Over the years, I have seen a decrease in the fish in the lake. We have to do something about that. If we lose the fish, we lose the visitors. If we lose the visitors, it becomes a ghost town up here.” Despite the uncontrollable natural causes, fish are still in the lake, and these guides are the most experienced in finding them. “I’ve been a guide for 21 years, and if I go to a new area to fish, I hire a guide,” Captain Jackie said. “A guide is going to help you from one end of the lake to the other. They’re going to push you in the right direction.” Although the fish population is lower in 2019 than previous years, his booking numbers have remained solid. Why? Because he has the experience to know where to find the fish. “There’s still fish out there to be caught,” he said. “Before the flood, you could go out there in April or May and a primate could catch fish. That isn’t the case anymore, but a guide is going to work his butt off to find those fish for you. “It’s hard to say where the fish are any given day,” he continued. “The north end [of Lake Buchanan] is shallower, the water will warm up faster and the fish will go there first. I’ve been here so long, I kind of know the patterns of what the fish are going to do each year. So far, they haven’t let me down.” Captain Jackie said he has seen several guide
services come and go on Lake Buchanan throughout the years due to competition. The ones that are left work together to create a better service for their guests. “Fishing is number one; it’s my bread and butter and always has been since I was a little kid,” he said. “It’s not easy to make in this type of business, but if you love it, you can make it happen.” And he certainly loves it. He attempts to pass on the joy he found in fishing during his childhood to today’s young people. Families – especially families visiting the Highland Lakes –- are a significant portion of Captain Jackie’s guests. That brings him the most satisfaction with his job. “When a kid gets off your boat with a smile from ear to ear because he just caught the biggest fish he’s caught in his life, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s all about spending time with family and friends out on the water,” he continued. “Everybody says it really isn’t about catching fish, but I know over the years it is about catching fish. They don’t want to come out here and just go for a boat ride.” Guides also provide expertise in the area of boating safety. Lake Buchanan can experience some heavy winds that create dangerous conditions for inexperienced boaters. The lake is the largest in the upper Highland Lakes area with a 22,333 acre surface area. By comparison, Lake LBJ is the secondlargest with 6,534 acres of surface area. Captain Jackie said he has postponed many trips due to safety concerns or unfavorable fishing conditions. His attention
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Captain Jackie helps a youngster show off an impressive trophy following a fishing tour. Captain Jackie said his favorite part of fishing is watching kids get their first catch and develop a love for angling that lasts a lifetime. CONTRIBUTED to safety and providing an enjoyable experience over making a quick dollar has made him one of the most successful guides in the area. He said nearly 75 percent of his customer base is repeat customers. To those who simply refuse to hire a guide on Lake Buchanan, Captain Jackie offered a few tips for new fishers in the Highland Lakes area. • Don’t be in a hurry He said a lot of fishers try a spot for five to 10 minutes and give up on it if the fish aren’t biting immediately. Give every spot you try a serious chance. Also, there’s no benefit to anyone by darting around the
lake showing off the powerful motor on the boat. “A lot of people get in a hurry with these bass boats that go 80 and 90 miles per hour, but I’ve never caught a fish at 40 miles per hour. Slow down.” • Bring a map If a guide isn’t escorting you to the best fishing spots via the safest routes, at least have a graphical representation of where you are and where you launched. • Fish behave similarly in all areas “If you’re a fisherman on your hometown lake a lot, look at what the fish are doing on your lake and apply that to a new lake,” Captain Jackie advised.
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HARTH therapist Julie Biggs and other staff members assist little Maddie Haffner in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies to help build her motor skills at the HARTH Foundation in Burnet. SAVANNA GREGG/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
HARTH Foundation assists those with special needs
Where horses, healing work hand in hand
A
By Savanna Gregg Highland Lakes Newspapers
t the end of a winding county road in western Burnet County lies a relaxing atmosphere which individuals with special needs are welcome to visit to learn more about their emotions, motor skills, and relationships with themselves and others through the healing power of horses.
The HARTH Foundation, which focuses on Healing and Recovery Through Horses, was founded by owner Sherry Atherton and uses Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) programs to assist individuals with special needs, whether mental or physical, from children to adults, civilians to veterans. Students are welcomed into a calm, quiet atmosphere
upon arriving at HARTH, which Atherton says is essential to healing. “I feel like this is something the community needs,” Atherton said. “I think if you are going to work on yourself, you need to be focused on yourself and not in the middle of all kinds of noise and activity.” Atherton started HARTH to assist veterans returning home from overseas with
2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 13
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Above, the HARTH Foundation was founded by Sherry Atherton, who gave retired show-jumpers a new job. HARTH utilizes horses’ empathy and strength to assist veterans and children with special needs in building motor skills, relationships, and healing. At right, HARTH staff assist veterans like Matt, a 22-year Army veteran, pictured with Spartacus, with ground training at the facility. SAVANNA GREGG/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS mental and physical trauma, because she recognized their great sacrifice, as someone looking in from another point of view, coming to the United States from Canada and becoming a citizen nearly 20 years ago. “People don’t get what the military does for this country, and I have a passion for those who commit,” Atherton said. “They don’t know what is going to happen to them after; they do what they are told to do, and then there just aren’t enough places for them to go when they come back, so that was important to me.” Humans and horses have much in common, and the retired show jumpers Atherton and her staff rely on for horsemanship and therapy sessions provide a special opportunity for a bond to be formed between rider and horse. “We teach people to look
at how a horse is acting and learn to understand how their actions affect the horses,” Atherton said. “Horses are prey animals, so they are hyper-vigilant, just like veterans. They are very aware, and in tune with everything going on around them.” Along with therapeutic riding sessions, HARTH offers horsemanship courses, which are free for veterans and $150 for civilians. In these courses all riders, novices and experienced horsemen, are trained in every aspect of horsemanship. “Students will learn safety the first day, and by the end of the six weeks they are working with the horse at liberty in the arena,” Atherton said. “Riders will learn about the pressure of their body, how they are standing, their movements, and will learn how to use their body and
how to communicate with these large animals and get them to do what they want them to do. “Although these horses are retired and some are older, they have a lot of opinions and they are not shy to share,” Atherton added. “They’re bred for competition and want to give a response right away, and we want that in these horses. They are very good around people, they know manners, but they will respond to what you are putting out.” Atherton’s plan to help veterans evolved into a greater goal to help more individuals with other special needs, and she said the two go hand in hand. “They overlap of course,” Atherton said. “We have a lot of veterans that also volunteer; it is their therapy, but they are also helping other folks, so it is cool to see how that works.”
Along with powerful horses, HARTH utilizes the expertise and passion of certified therapists, who are extensively trained by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. PATH-certified therapists are trained to serve individuals with developmental delays, learning disabilities, amputations, hearing impairments, substance abuse issues, visual impairment, and many other special needs. “PATH is the one to certify both centers and instructors in this field,” Atherton said. “It is focused on ethics, safety, and ensures the instructors and everybody are being properly trained.” HARTH has one certified therapist, Julie Biggs, working at the center, and two others, Lori Greco and Jereny Johnson, are working
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The HARTH Foundation is located at 3307 Sunset Cliff Road, on the shores of Lake Buchanan. Staff at HARTH assist veterans and individuals with special needs through Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT), and the center is growing every day. SAVANNA GREGG/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS toward their certifications. “Julie has been doing this for a long time, and she is very passionate about it, which makes her fantastic at this,” Atherton said. Julie Biggs, who has been PATH certified since 2012, has experience working with children on the autism spectrum and brings her knowledge and compassion to the arena, helping in structured programs designed to meet their individual needs. “First, we do intakes and I meet the student, and the parents or caregivers,” Biggs said. “We talk about their goals, I watch them, see how they act, and see what they may need. I talk to their caregivers because they are the experts on these kids.” With caregivers’ permission, Biggs also
communicates with other therapists children see and collaborates with them to ensure the programs the children complete at HARTH are beneficial to the development of the student. Though Biggs helps children through structured lesson plans, she recognizes the need for flexibility for some students. “If a student has had a bad day, like we all do, the lesson plan goes out the window,” Biggs said. “You have to be very flexible to change because bad days just happen, and
“Julie Biggs is so creative,” said Katie Haffner, grandmother of Maddie Haffner. “She really engages the kids in the activities. Just riding can be boring, but she gives Maddie other things to do to help her physically like grabbing balls, or she will have her grab fish out of a bucket of water. She also helps her with her speech, having her identify colors, and does activities to help her strengthen her core. HARTH has been very accommodating and personal.” SAVANNA GREGG/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
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just because they have a challenge, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive, these kids are going to go through the same hormonal changes that everybody else does, and it may effect them way more than it does anyone else.” Working for years in this field, Biggs has had many opportunities to make a difference in a child’s life, sharing milestones with many students. “I might work with a kiddo for a couple of months before I even get him to hold the reins, and that is a big accomplishment,” Biggs said. “It is a process. “In 2012, I had worked with a kid for a couple of years, who was nonverbal, and I heard him say his first word,” Biggs added. “When I asked him to stop his horse, he said ‘woah.’ It is very rewarding.” Biggs knows the challenges faced by families of children with special needs, and knows the services offered at HARTH are crucial to many in the area. “This kind of therapy is so needed in this area, and we need donors and volunteers who will help,” Biggs said. “We live in an area where many people are economically disadvantaged, and have a lot of parents who are struggling, because
having a child with special needs is a 24-hour, sevenday-a-week job, and then add in the financial difficulties.” Lori Greco retired from the United States Army in 2011 after 27 years of active duty and 10 years as an endurance rider, and knows firsthand the effects horses have on their human counterparts. A few years after retiring, she discovered HARTH and, along with working with children with special needs, she soon became the one in charge of its veteran program. “I never in my life thought I would be working with special needs children, being in the Army so long; I never saw that,” Greco said. “God kind of said, ‘this is your next career,’ and it has just worked out.” Upon receiving her PATH certifications, Greco plans to enhance the center’s veteran assistance program with HARTH’s new Service For Heroes program, which will be geared towards assisting wounded warriors and veterans with mental health issues or traumatic brain injuries received from combat. “I know God is leading me to start the wounded warriors program,” Greco said. “Many of them have not ridden in the past, and it is so helpful especially for the ones
How to get involved with HARTH
“I love it here,” said Priscilla Scharpf, mother of Devlin Scharpf. “Devlin is considered to have Level 3 Severe Autism and cognitive adaptive delays, and with as much non-awareness of autism and special needs, I have always been in fear that whoever I leave him with will lose him, because he is an eloper; he has to be in constant motion and can just take off. But I cried the first time I brought him because they do so well with him and they understand him, and it’s really hard to find somebody who understands his diagnoses. They have been so good to him, and he hasn’t tried to run away. It is so stress-free out here.” SAVANNA GREGG/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS with no legs who have been sitting in a wheelchair for a while. The movement of the horses under them is just like their hips moving when they are walking; it recreates that whole thing. It is so exciting.” Greco also heads many other veteran programs in the area, running the Veteran Board at Hill Country Fellowship Church, facilitating the Veteran’s Day fishing event at the Inks Dam Fish Hatchery, and acting as a suicide trainer for veterans in Burnet County. “A veteran I work with called me one night and asked if he could come out to HARTH,” Greco said. “He told me he heard that horses might help him; he spent his whole days driving in the country to get away from what was bothering him, and heard that horses could help with that, so his wife encouraged him to try it. “Spartacus, one of our big horses, was standing
around and I said ‘if you keep standing around here, I’m going to use you,’” Greco said. When the high-ranking soldier from Fort Hood arrived at the center, Greco introduced the man to Spartacus. “He just started hugging the horse and crying, kissing the horse on the nose, and I thought it was odd because he wasn’t a horse guy,” Greco said. “He told me his last unit, when he was in Afghanistan, was called the Spartans. “He stuck with that horse,” Greco added. “He eventually came back and took a horsemanship class, and now has his own horse. It brings tears to my eyes how it can all work like that.” The 22-year veteran, Matt, is now an active HARTH volunteer and continues to work with Spartacus. Staff and volunteers at HARTH all share inspirational
Become A Sponsor: Recognizing that some families have financial disabilities, HARTH offers Helping Hands, a scholarship program which assists families in paying for the extensive therapy sessions. “There are a lot of low income families in the area, or families with special needs children who have a lot of additional expenses,” Atherton said. “That is why we started the Helping Hands program. We do not want to ever have to turn away a family because of their inability to pay.” To lend a hand to the Helping Hands program, HARTH is asking for sponsorships from local businesses and individuals to ensure the center is able to continue providing financial assistance for its families. “We need sponsorships because we need to be able to help people and expand this program and fund it,” Atherton said. Those who are interested in sponsoring the Helping Hands program at HARTH are asked to visit their website, harthtx.org, or call the center at 512-656-7698 for more information. Volunteer: Another growing need at the center is that for volunteers, and Atherton is asking those with extra time on their hands, or the need to help others, to consider helping out the staff at HARTH. Sherry and her staff are looking for sidewalkers and horse handlers, and individuals do not need experience to join the team. “Volunteers are how we make this stuff work,” Atherton said. “You don’t have to have horse experience; volunteers start as horse handlers and we give training the second Thursday of every month.” Volunteers also clean the common areas of the barn, grooming stalls, and buckets, and replace the shavings in the stalls. “We are growing like crazy and it is hard to have enough volunteers to keep up,” Atherton said. “It is a very rewarding way to give back, to volunteer, because these are our kids and our adults and they need your help.” Individuals interested in volunteering at HARTH may contact Julie Biggs at 512-525-7774 or julieb@harthtx.org. stories like Greco’s, as they have the opportunity to witness firsthand the strong emotional connections between horses and humans. The only equine-assisted therapeutic facility in Burnet and Llano Counties, HARTH takes pride in their PATHcertified members and those working toward it. “PATH has got the highest standards in the world,” Greco said. “Their standards for safety and conduct are really high, and I am glad to say that.”
“I believe strongly in the healing power of horses,” Atherton said. “The need for a center like this is huge, and there is a science behind it. We want people to come here because they feel like we recognize what they need and we focus on what they want and can benefit from.” HARTH is located on the shores of Lake Buchanan at 3307 Sunset Cliff Road, Burnet. More information about the programs offered at the center can be found at harthtx.org.
2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 19
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Construction took six years to complete
Buchanan Dam created waterway community
Buchanan Dam rises above the Colorado River basin during the 2012 drought. The dam was completed in 1937 and was the first crowning achievement of the newly created Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). CONTRIBUTED/LCRA
F
By Connie Swinney Highland Lakes Newspapers
or those who grew up in the upper Highland Lakes area, the history of Lake Buchanan and its dam has cultivated a legacy and a sense of pride for those who participated in its operations and those whose family members contributed to its construction.
“My grandfather worked out there for a while. He and a bunch of guys from Burnet would car pool in an old truck, and they’d just work all day in the cold and the heat,” said Ryan Rowney of the construction of Buchanan Dam. “I remember my grandfather telling me, he was getting paid 15 cents an hour as a laborer. They worked six to seven days a week, and he was glad to get it because it was a good job.” Buchanan Dam – built by the Lower Colorado River Authority after a private company went bankrupt – was completed in 1937 and created Lake Buchanan. “It was such a great thing to have in the midst of the depression, to have all these jobs right there,” added Rowney, who is a Burnet native. “It really helped the economy around the Burnet and Marble Falls area at that time.” George Oakley, whose family also goes back several generations in Burnet County, also described a connection to the creation of the dam where his grandfather worked as a civil engineer for the project and later a property surveyor.
A historical marker celebrates the part the Lower Colorado River Authority played in construction of Buchanan Dam. CONNIE SWINNEY/HLN 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 21
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The observation deck at Buchanan Dam offers visitors a view not only of Lake Buchanan but the surrounding countryside as well. CONNIE SWINNEY/HLN
“I’m very proud. I enjoy sharing that information,” said Oakley of his grandfather A.M. Gibbs played a pivotal role in the construction and early operations of the dam. “He also helped in settling the Hill Country around Lake Buchanan after the dam was built.” Oakley, who is an engineer himself, was given one his grandfather’s drafting kits which includes items such as a compass and other drafting utensils, housed in an old
leather case. “When I got the drafting utensils, I got an old drawing kit. There was a template for drawing circles,” he said. “I used some of his tools as I went through engineering school.” Oakley explained how he continues to share the stories about the symbols of his legacy with other family members. “I shared it just recently to his (Gibb’s) great grandkids,” he said. “The dam he helped
build – he surveyed many of the properties around that lake,” Oakley added. “It was always interesting to find his surveying pins in a hill. “He had a very large drawing on a five-foot square of vellum (parchment paper made of livestock hide) I acquired through all that,” he said. “He drew up the city of Burnet on it.” Just like the Oakleys, Rowney’s family was one of those who sunk roots in the communities which sprung from the lakes and dam.
Like his own grandfather, Rowney found himself drawn to the work of the dams. “It was a lot of us local guys who worked there,” he said. He worked for the Lower Colorado River Authority for 34 years before retiring and watched the evolution of the management and operation of the facilities. Rowney said he started at the bottom as a helper, studied at night, learned the mechanical side of operations, followed by
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On display at Buchanan Dam is a water wheel taken from Mansfield Dam after it had been in service from 1941 to 1985. Similar water wheels operate on Buchanan Dam and as water flows through the penstocks, it strikes the blades on the wheel, which in turn generates electricity. CONNIE SWINNEY/HLN
Water flows from Buchanan Dam following the October 2018 Highland Lakes flood after the dam’s flood gates were opened to send excess water downriver. CONTRIBUTED/LCRA 24 • 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
the electrical aspect and eventually transitioned from lead electrician to plant supervisor and finally vice president of operations armed with LCRA’s training investment which afforded him expertise in the business side of the entity to master financial planning and budgeting. He reminisced about how fast business evolved. “In 1983, they still had hand crank phones at the dams like you’d see on farms. They even used a megaphone to talk to workers down on the lower floors,” Rowney said. “We went from pretty basic to, in about five or 10 years, we had pagers and then smartphones.” During his time, LCRA spent $100 million upgrading the infrastructure of the dams. “After Buchanan then came Inks and the rest of the dams,” he said. “We were able to start modernizing the facilities and spend a tremendous amount of money, making sure these dams could last another 100 years. “It was able to produce electricity through moving the water through the hydroelectric system and energized the entire Colorado Basin from then on,” he said. “It got the ball rolling, just made this whole area the economic power house it is today.” Even in retirement, he still marvels not only at the history but future impact of the structure. “When you cross the bridge there at Inks and see the dam, I feel very much linked to that,” Rowney said “What keeps the area going is the water. Growth depends on water. “It’s going to pay dividends for our kids and their kids in the future,” Rowney added. “I’m very proud of that.”
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2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 25
Adam Rankin Johnson credited with idea to dam Colorado River
Entrpeneur’s vision prompts lakes’ construction
T
By Connie Swinney Highland Lakes Newspapers
he formation of the upper Highland Lakes has nurtured a string of communities around four waterways which have thrived due not only to improved flood control and power generation but as a result of domestic water use access and recreation opportunities.
The above marker honors the memory of Brig. Gen. Adam R. Johnson, who first had the vision of building a dam on the Colorado River and purchased the land upon which the dam stands. CONNIE SWINNEY/HLN
An 1960s advertising brochure for the Texas Highland Lakes promotes it as a spot for family friendly fun. CONTRIBUTED/LCRA 26 • 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
Historians credit Adam Rankin Johnson – a farmer and entrepreneur who established the city of Marble Falls – for the idea of a dam on the Colorado River. He secured water rights for a multi-dam project, and in 1854 he marked an “X” in rock at a location where one of the dams should be built. He was never able to see his vision come to fruition before his death in 1922; however, he did sell his water rights to C. H. Alexander, Sr. In 1909 Alexander began construction of a dam but was able to build only onethird of the structure before he failed to secure additional funds necessary complete the project. LCRA’s creation drives project completion In 1931, a utility company purchased Alexander’s water rights. Crews began construction of a massive structure on the Colorado River at the location originally marked by Johnson. In about a year with half the construction completed, the company went bankrupt, which was blamed on the economic struggles of the Great Depression and mismanagement. Alvin Wirtz, an attorney and former state senator, eventually secured the
promise of federal funds if a state entity could be created to manage the completion of the project and eventually be tasked with operating the structure. As a result, Texas lawmakers passed legislation to form the Lower Colorado River Authority in November 1934. Federal dollars fund Buchanan and Inks dams LCRA acquired the defunct utility’s properties and resumed construction utilizing $20 million in federal grants and loans. By 1938 crews completed both Buchanan Dam and Inks Dam just downstream. The work kindled the economically-depressed area by creating hundreds of jobs. “Completed in 1938, the two dams were designed to offer the hydroelectric production and flood protection that the project’s originators had promised,” according to LCRA. “The water in Lake Buchanan would provide the ‘fuel’ for the Buchanan Dam powerhouse, and the dam sported 37 floodgates to moderate the release of Hill Country floodwaters.” During floodgate operations, the waters from Lake Buchanan flowed into Inks Lake. Inks Dam would
A crowd gathers for the Oct. 16, 1937, dedication of Buchanan Dam, following six years of construction.
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED/LCRA
Buchanan Dam in 1932 as construction came to a halt following the private ownership company’s bankruptcy.
A view of the construction of Buchanan Dam in 1937 prior to the structure’s opening.
then discharge the inflows through its own powerhouse to compound the water’s hydroelectric output. LCRA expands to create more dams Even while communities were basking in the creation of the two newly-constructed dams, plans were already underway for another massive structure farther downstream. In 1937, LCRA broke ground on what would eventually become Mansfield Dam which would form Lake Travis, a reservoir to provide floodwater storage generated by Colorado River tributaries. Wirtz, Starcke and Tom Miller dams In 1938, LCRA and the city of Austin struck a deal to rebuild the community’s existing dam which forms
recommended naming the chain “the Highland Lakes” to promote their recreation opportunities. By the end of the 1940s, LCRA to built two additional dams between Inks Dam and Lake Travis, due to a growing demand
Construction on the dam led to overnight development of small communities of workers like this one. Lake Austin. Eventually it would be renamed Tom Miller Dam, completed in 1940. Mansfield Dam would follow in its completion two years later. LCRA and state and federal agencies
for more electric-generating capacity in the middle of the chain. Wirtz Dam and Max Starcke Dam would be completed in 1951, creating Lakes LBJ and Lake Marble Falls.
LCRA contributed to this report.
2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 27
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Artist captures lake’s unpredictable beauty
D
By Connie Swinney Highland Lakes Newspapers
aniel Adams embraces the natural landscape, wildlife and views of Lake Buchanan and recaptures what he sees in a medium he shares with the public – his paintings. “One morning it will be foggy out. Another morning there will be ducks, another morning pelicans,” he said. “Some mornings when the sun comes up, there are just rays of light coming out; other times it’s dark and murky. “We get the butterfly migration, the monarchs coming through,” he added. “There are a lot of little coves to explore. It’s not just a round body of water. There are little inlets. It’s fun to kayak and go in and explore those coves.” In the past 10 years of living on the waterway, he has also learned to accept Lake Buchanan’s unpredictability. “It’s a cycle. It comes. It goes. Some people think the water is not going to come back. Right now they’re (LCRA) letting the water out downstream,” he said of the level of the reservoir. “They’re expecting a front will move in and bring more water in.” Lower Colorado River Authority manages the waterway created by Buchanan Dam. Like Lake Travis, Lake Buchanan is used for flood management and hydro-electric power generation. “It’s worth it to be here,” he said. “The people are friendly. It’s good community.” Despite the periodic extreme conditions, those
who choose to live and work on the lake revel in the opportunities afforded by the views, wildlife and recreation attractions. “They really came together during the flooding,” he said. “You get some lemons, make some lemonade.” Adams not only operates his gallery – Daniel Adams Fine Arts Gallery, 17617 E SH 29 – in Buchanan Dam which affords him plenty of time to research and capture the lake’s beauty in all media including watercolor, oil and pencil drawings. He features his work at his Buchanan Dam gallery and a second location in Marble Falls, 908 Second Street. His renditions range from subtle and serene to vibrant and inspiring. “You have a little bit of a change of seasons. The nice thing about our lakes, we have more of rocky coast,” he said. “We get hummingbirds here. We get the migrations; lay back on the rocks and watch the migrations.” An admirer must look twice at a number of his pieces to decipher the image as a painting and not a photograph. He also captures lovely images seen on and around Inks Lake nearby. “On Inks Lake now, we had two bald eagles’ nests. We had four adult eagles’ nests out there. Right there by the dam, you can see
Artist Daniel Adams has captured a number of iconic images in and around Lake Buchananin the past decade including a lighthouse, sky views and colorful wildlife. CONNIE SWINNEY/HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
the nest, and you can see the eagles flying down catching the fish. It’s always interesting.” His art is as varied as the extremes which surround Lake Buchanan, the larger of the two bodies of water, which periodically floods and at times experiences drought-like conditions. His paintings include a portrait of the iconic lighthouse on Lake Buchanan adjacent to the dam and wildlife activity he has witnessed while out on lake excursions. “You can see blue heron
or a whole log full of turtles,” he said. “Every morning you get up and look at the lake, it’s a different picture.” Just like the waterway itself, those who study Adams’ paintings can become immersed in their simple beauty. “A lot of people live here, they have a second house or they want to live here,” he said. “I like to get out and enjoy the nature. “You have to get out and walk it and really feel it,” he added. “We are just blessed with these nice bodies of water.”
2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS • 29
Highland Lakes dams in Burnet, Llano counties
Max Starcke Dam during its construction in 1951 (above) and an aerial view from the present (right). The last of the Highland Lakes dams to be completed, the dam is named for the former LCRA general manager. Starcke and Wirtz dams were built under his tenure. ALL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED/LCRA
Wirtz Dam, as seen during its construction in 1950 (at left) and an aerial view from the present (above), created Lake Granite Shoals, which is now called Lake LBJ. The dam is named for Alvin Wirtz, who wrote the legislation that created the Lower Colorado River Authority.
2019 Visitors’ Guide
Inks Dam, as seen during its construction in 1937 (above) and an aerial view from the present (at right). Inks Dam, which creates Inks Lake, is named for Roy B. Inks, a former Llano mayor and LCRA board member during the early years of the organization. 30 • 2019 Visitors’ Guide | HIGHLAND LAKES NEWSPAPERS
A Highland Lakes Newspapers publication (The Highlander & Burnet Bulletin) To subscribe or advertise: call 830-693-4367 or 512-756-6136 HighlanderNews.com • BurnetBulletin.com Publisher: Jeff Shabram Managing Editor: Lew K. Cohn Staff: Connie Swinney, Nathan Hendrix & Savanna Gregg Advertising: Jaymie Parks Office Manager: Kimberly Green Circulation: Margie Aguilera
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