Does anyone know the history behind North Lake in Coppell/Irving. I know there are plans to develop the land around there for condos and homes and a new campus for the Coppell ISD. Why did they close up the lake. I heard a rumor that the water was too hot because of the power plant and it was a lot of work to keep fish in it. Does anyone else any word on this lake or its future of potentially being a place to fish again in the future?

Don't about it being to hot, they used to water ski in it before they closed, but that could be an issue since it is so small. I did do a little fishing in it before they closed it and it wasn't to bad, nothing huge but none the less.

That little lake use to be the sleeper of the metroplex. The water temperature had nothing to do with the fish in there.

It was/still is full of nice bass, big cat's and crappie..

But it will never be open again.

It's Irving's version of Squaw Creek!

Do a search on this forum and you will find a lot of info about this lake. I fished it from the early '70's till it closed (then we moved to Coppell in 1979 so I fished it a lot, year round). Early on, the predominant cover was reeds and pond weed out to about 4 ft of water. It has always had a good population of fish, bass, crappie, sandbass, catfish and carp. The reason for closure really boiled down to who was going to "police" it. Back in the day, Coppell police patrolled it although it was technically in Irving jurisdiction. Being on the far northern boundary for Irving, especially prior to all the development north of Hwy 114 and the Valley Ranch area, Irving didn't want to make it a priority. You had everything imagineable taking place out there and the place was getting trashed up (not to mention deteriorating roads through the park). Anyway, it was just easier for them to close it than patrol it or maintain it. At least that's the story that we heard at the time. It's too bad too. Yes, the water was really warm in the summer months but a lot of skiers and jet skiers used the lake (although they hated the hydrilla getting caught up in the their intakes). Again, fishing was really good, especially once the hydrilla came in. After several years of the spreading of hydrilla, you could really see the size of bass increasing and numbers of 3-5 lbers went up exponentially. Seems like we caught more 1-2 lbers before that. I also heard that the power plant folks relaly hated the hydrilla because it was causing issues at their intakes, but I don't have support for that. Not sure if it will ever open unless a developer ends up buying the land and builds. But then again it might turn into a private lake too, who knows. It's just another lost fishing opportunity in the Metroplex.

Where is this park or lake you'll are referring to?

A few years ago I passed by that lake every morning on my way to work. One morning I saw sandies going absolutely nuts on the surface. I almost wrecked my car cause I coulnd't take my eyes off the action!

So there is no access to fish it?

No LEGAL access that I'm aware of.

Lord did we use to party out there !!!!
mid-late 70's.
off Dynamo Rd at the pavillions.
live bands,etc.etc!!!

The word is that they are going to put condos, houses, and a Coppell ISD campus out there - Probably a technical High school, The City of Dallas and the City of Coppell are fighting over it. The lake may re-open. I assume they will take down the non functioning power plant.

That would be awesome if they opened it again.

TXU owned the lake and surronding 1500 acres which is in Dallas City Limits and Coppell ISD. City of Irving leased the park land from TXU as a recreational facility but they gave it up because most of the patrons were from other cities. TXU gave Coppell the opportunity to lease it but they passed - Coppell City Manager didn't see any value in having controlling interest in 1700 acres on LBJ and Beltline, 6 miles from DFW... stupid move. TXU closed it to public access in the early 90's. Now Billingsly Development wants to build condos/appartments with retail but Coppell (the city) is opposed. They have been spending millions in legal fees fighting it in court. They tried to eminent domain it too, even though it is not in the City of Coppell. The City Manager (Jim Witt) and council were really exposed as incompetent on the deal, basically getting steam rolled at every turn. Last I heard CISD still had some legal life left in their claim because the land is in the district.

I caught lots of bass out there and it was a great facility. Honey Hole Magazine (the TV show) did a show there once.

if a person was soooo inclined, there is a new park near the movie theater and walmart dont know the cross streets but if your familar with the area you know what I speak of. if a person was wanting to do some ninja fishing....that would be a good place to park because its both buisness are open late into the night...to gain access to lake through the back of the park might be worth a try it would be a walk from there tall grass and mesquite trees under growth ect...all very hypithetical but its what I would do....

The power plant was only part of the reason the lake was so warm. Most of the southern side is very shallow and that water heats up pretty quick. I used to wind surf out there in the early 80's. It was great.Fall off in 2 feet of water and you just stand up and hop back on.

Man am I glad I ran across this post! I've been driving by this lake to/from work for the last 5 years and haven't been able to find anyone that knows anything about it.

Yes, I could see how the water could get real warm as the water on the SW side of the lake looks very shallow.

[quote=fishNfanatic]Man am I glad I ran across this post! I've been driving by this lake to/from work for the last 5 years and haven't been able to find anyone that knows anything about it.

quote]

Same here.

It's a drag having to drive by it twice a day and not be able to throw a line in there.

we used to go out there in the early 90's. i also heard that stupid homeland security had something to do with the closing for good.

It was closed way before Homeland Security was even around. It was all about who would pay to keep it open...and Irving, Dallas and Coppell all passed.

I'm always up for ninja fishng... heheh...

the first rule of ninja fishing...don't talk about ninja fishing...

second rule...take only photos leave only foot prints....I have said too much

I used to camp and fish/party out at North Lake from 80 until it closed. That little lake is great. At the time that it closed you could see giant blue cats cruise by while you were Bass fishin. The biggest one I ever saw caught was in the thirty pound range on corn. It drives me crazy to think how big those cats are now.

not that I would know, but I would say they are big and still eat corn..........

There are no fish in that lake. My dad and I caught them all when I was a kid and we lived 5 minutes away.

you talking about the relatively new small park at hackberry and ranchview? looking at ariel shots of that area now and it wouldn't be too far of a walk to the southeast shore from there but isn't there a fence around the entire lake?

We always took our Seadoos out there in January abd February. It was like bath water by the power plant outlet. Only problem is that I now glow in the dark...

They closed the lake to to much partying and drugs being sold out there and gays and sex party to much for the police to handle.It was cheaper to close it and keep trouble out of there.They burned the gaurd shack done too one nite.That is why it is close

They better close Lewisville too then !!!!

I work right down the street from the lake. I drove around it Friday, just some curiosity from this thread. The old park is fenced off and says Private Property and the owner is runnig alot of cattle on it. Which is worse if you get caught trespassing? Private or Public tresspassing?

How long has the lake been closed? I saw picnic table pavillions and trash cans still standing. Plus, the boat ramp still looked usable.

THE LAKE IS OFF LIMITS! If you get caught trespassing you will go to jail. It is clearly marked with trespassing signs and has a fence surrounding the lake. It is patroled by security and they will detain you until the Dallas Police Department can arrive. The cattle owner is leasing the land for his cattle. My advice is to forget about fishing this lake.It will be drained soon to allow for more development. The land owner has decided the land is worth more dry then wet.

Parrish, where are you getting your information from? I am not trying to be insulting, I am honestly asking.

the # 1 issue in all of this is that the power plant still runs during the summer. It has a full staff that work between North Lake and the Lake Hubbard plant. Start watching anound the June 1st time period and you will see it running this summer as it did last summer.

PM sent to Futureman

The City of Dallas owns the property, they lease the land and the lake to TXU for the power plant, just like lake ray hubbard.

The City of Dallas leased the park to the City of Irving for a dollar per year, but for many years the upkeep was costing hundreds of thousands and the entry fees were not covering the expense. So they backed out of the deal and the park was closed, eliminateing access to the lake.

Now there are discussions occuring of selling the land to Coppell for a school , or selling the land to developer that will build either apartments or a mixed use development.

I say we start a stupid petition to demand the right to fish for stocked bass which were paid for by the public. This lake is alot closer than Squaw Creek so we will save gas.

YEAH!!!

This lake would get plenty of attention from the residents of Coppell and Irving if they were to re open it, I was on it a few times as a kid with family, spur of the moment fishing trips always ended up on North Lake due to convenience. I would give anything for it to re open.

I second that motion to start a petition. I am sure it would get a lot of participation.

I heard that TXU mothballed the plant in 2004 which is about the time they began selling land to Billingsly for development. Also heard that they were planning on draining most if not all of the lake for development of everything from apartments, to retail to office space.

Any new news on this lake?

I have driven by there recently and seen the gates open, and people fishing. Perhaps they are the leasers. I fished it as late as 1998.

That powerplant is operational, take a look at the stacks in the winter. I'm sure they considered tearing it up when TXU optimistically thought they would build and convert plants to coal. See how thats worked out.

I cant see this lake being drained, there is a ton of land out there that still hasnt been developed, that needs it.

Doubtful. If you get caught trespassing, you'll probably get asked to leave or at most a ticket.
Get caught a second time and you might go to jail for criminal trespassing.
Not that I would know or anything...

News from the City of Coppell:

City of Coppell Web Site

So it seems it wont be drained.

Perhaps some of our more eloquent members can draft a letter or make a call to the mayor of Coppell.

I didnt mention anything about the lake. That cant be good.

As I am still employed by TXU/Luminent part time I can tell you at this time that the company does not have any NOX credits to run the plant in 2009. Now credits can be bought but with all of the wind power going in from Abilene to East Texas I doubt that the plant will be run. Luminent has a 10 yr. window to run the plant but I bet you will see it demolished in the next 2 to 3 yrs. and the rest of the land sold to developers.
Johnny

Do you know they demolished power lines as well. They are power lines every ware.

The City of Coppell just bought the land around the lake including the water as a condition to settle the law suit with Cypress Water. They plan on opening the lake back up in the future for its citizens. There are no plans at this time to drain the lake. The city is smart enough to realize this lake is a great asset to its community.

I was driving next the park on the southside at lunch a little while ago and the dove in there are THICK! Wish they would let me in. i just need two days. One on the boat and one with a gun.

Parrish,

Are you saying People it will be for Coppell residents only? That woudl be sweet! - for those of us in Coppell. Where did you get your information? I have been trying to find out info like this for a long time...

Update from the City of Coppell:
As of October 3, 2008
City of Coppell and Coppell ISD Move Forward With North Lake Settlement

Coppell Independent School District and the Coppell City Council took necessary executive action this week bringing both parties one step closer to ending the controversy of the property known as North Lake or Cypress Waters. The settlement agreement addresses a negotiated cap on the number of dwellings on the entire 1,700 acre tract, not just the 350 acres initially involved in the dispute.

Coppell city council members approved an overall settlement and the dismissal of litigation in the case after an evening executive session held on October 2. The City will purchase a portion of the North Lake property it obtained in the settlement later this year.

On September 4, 2008, an agreement in principle announced among the City of Coppell, the Coppell Independent School District, Luminant Generation Company and Billingsley Company that will result in the resolution of all previous litigation and complete the development addressing the use of the Dallas-based land.

"This is an important step in moving the settlement forward for the benefit of our citizens," said Mayor Doug Stover. “The land the city acquires will be utilized for a number of important purposes including utility improvements and training facilities for our public safety agencies.”

Under the agreement the City of Coppell, Coppell ISD and Billingsley will be the predominant landowners. Luminant will retain a power plant on the site and water rights for the lake for a period not to exceed ten years, after which the property will be transferred to the City of Coppell. Additionally, Luminant will retain certain rights to develop Barnett Shale reserves from the property.

Coppell ISD Board of Trustees also approved a settlement agreement marking an end to four years of hard fought litigation for the Coppell school community. In keeping with the agreement, Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Turner, acting under the direction of the School Board, signed the official closing documents to acquire 82 acres (of the proposed 122 acres) in the southern sector of the property surrounding the lake and requested dismissal of all matters of pending litigation involving the district. The closing for the remaining 40 acres is set to follow on or before November 1, 2008.
The school district is discussing the need for a May 2009 bond election to pay for the balance on the property whose total price tag came in at $23,968,904 as follows:

82 acres @ $5.00 per SF $17,859,600
(includes the $9,000,000 set aside for North Lake land in the 2006 bond election)

20 acres @ $ .50 per SF $ 436,600
20 acres @ $1.92 per SF $ 1,672,704
Infrastructure Costs $ 4,000,000


Dr. Turner said, "Hard work and diligent hours on the part of many have helped us to successfully conclude this matter. We are satisfied with the outcome and I am confident that we have secured enough property to be able to maintain the high quality of education throughout the district. I am excited to now be able to spend more of our time focusing on kids and education."

What does the below mean?

"Luminant will retain a power plant on the site and water rights for the lake for a period not to exceed ten years, after which the property will be transferred to the City of Coppell."

Is it up to Luminant as to whether the lake will be accessible?

Yes, for the first ten years. Then the city of Coppell will have the rights.

Man.... I guess I will have to keep this post going for 10 years.