Howdy Folks,

I'm brand new to the forum and didn't see an introduction section. I grew up in the Huntsville area and have lived in the Pacific Northwest since 2002. We plan to move back soon to the Tyler area and are seeking property on Lake Palestine. My wife will be down next week to look at some property and our favorite so far, from internet searches, is located in Stone Chimney Cove.

I have been a avid fisherman most of my life and can't wait to get back to Texas. I would like to know about the water levels. We had initially planned for Richland Chambers but changed our minds after seeing how low it has been over the last few years.

I was hoping to connect with someone with local knowledge of Lake Palestine and especially Stone Chimney Cove.

Also, I've been told that this time of year is when Lake Palestine typically sees its lowest lake levels. Is that true? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Water levels have been fair for the past five years. 2011 and this year was low but overall not too bad. BUT, the water supplier for North Texas metropolitan is building a huge pipeline from Lake Palestine to Lake Benbrook which is scheduled to be completed about 2020, and this will transfer Palestine water to Lake Benbrook for use by the DFW metromess utilities. This will have a huge impact on Lake Palestine as we know it.

I suspect we will see lake levels down 10 to 12 foot consistently in the summer months. Nothing we can do about it, the contract was signed 35 years ago.

Eastexn,

Thanks for the information. I was not aware of this but had heard DFW had been diligent about buying up water rights in east Texas years ago.

If you use google earth historical data you can see where the water levels were during the drought of 2011. I think that was the lowest it has been since it was created. Stone Chimney Cove is a good area in my opinion.

LP Fisherman,

Thanks, I'll check it out.

PM sent

Mo

Thanks Mo, love the backyard!

I'll see if I can dig up the source for historical lake water levels.

I take it you want this not so much for fishing related reasons, but building or buying a home? A good idea for on almost every body of water, lake or river, there are homes that are affected by high water (flooding) and low water (no water in sight on occasion, for example Palo Pinto Lake).

The reason I ask is I just went through the same thing. I bought some waterfront acreage on Lake Athens, just "next door" to where you will be moving, and I was concerned at what level it was safe to build a home without having to worry about flooding. So, Lake Athens' conservation level is 440' and, gosh I was lucky, we had a super rainy, record-setting, rainy spring for me to use as a gauge. So, I watched the data and the highest Athens ever got was 443'. It made me feel okay building at around 10 feet above that. So, that is what we are doing. The geotech engineers came out August 17th to take two borings so we know what foundation will be best. Off we go!

Gosh, D/FW did some forward planning 35 years ago? It could never happen in this day and age of fighting and vacillating and political misdirection. For now, you might look at the effects this has had on Cedar Creek and Richland Chambers, water levels from pumping to Benbrook that is, to determine any possible future draw-downs on Palestine. D/FW will likely double in size over the next few decades and water is going to come from somewhere.

Cheers! Brad

Found it. Here is a little chart going back to 2010, so it shows you the last drought period LP Fisherman mentioned.

I'd use that as the "worse case" scenario, then use the current year's level as the "best case" or "wettest" scenario.

Brad

Thanks for the information Brad. We will most likely buy a preexisting home and it seems the water authority has a pretty good handle on keeping people out of a flood zone. My main concern is not being high and dry under a boathouse like so many places of Richland Chambers have been the last few years. We have chosen Lake Palestine since the water levels seem more generally better and it is a good geographic location for us. I haven't had a chance to get out on the lake at all at this time. I hope to get an opportunity next time I get down that way.

Good luck with your home building.