Lake Granbury is one of two water supply reservoirs on the main stem of the Brazos River, owned and operated by the Brazos River Authority (BRA), situated less than 40 miles from Fort Worth.
Located approximately 144 river miles downstream from Possum Kingdom Lake and approximately 96 river miles upstream from Lake Whitney, Lake Granbury runs through the city of Granbury.
The project was authorized through a permit issued by the State of Texas in 1964. Construction began in December 1966 and was completed by September 1969.
The reservoir was built without the use of tax dollars; having been financed entirely with revenues from contract sales of water by the BRA. The principal revenues used to finance the project are provided under a contract with TXU Electric Company for the purchase of water for industrial use, including cooling water for a natural gas-fired steam electric power plant on the reservoir and the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant near Glen Rose.
The BRA broke ground for Lake Granbury and the DeCordova Bend Dam in December 1966 to create the reservoir that spans parts of Hood and Parker counties. The dam was completed in late 1969. Lake Granbury’s floodgates are operated electronically via a remote computer and can be opened incrementally to release varying amounts of water beneath the gate. The DeCordova Bend Dam was dedicated on June 19, 1970, with a formal address by then-Governor Preston Smith.
The DeCordova Bend Dam structure is 2,200 feet long and 84 feet high with 16 Tainter-style gates. Each gate is 36 feet long x 35 feet high. The construction cost was $17 million.
The project provides 136,326 acre-feet of storage capacity for conservation of flood and storm waters to meet requirements of municipalities, industries, agriculture, and mining.
The DeCordova Bend Dam at Lake Granbury is named after Jacob De Cordova, a prominent land agent and colonizer who settled in Texas during the late 1830s after the Texas Revolution. After serving a term in the Texas House of Representatives in 1847, he traveled throughout the state, acquiring land to sell to prospective settlers. With the hope that one day, the area would become part of the United States, De Cordova opened one of the largest land agencies in the state.
He visited New York and Philadelphia and traveled as far as Manchester, England to discuss opportunities in Texas. De Cordova and two other men laid out the town of Waco in 1848 – 1849, and in 1850, he was among the men who helped make Waco the county seat of McLennan County.
In addition to providing water to those who need it, the secondary benefit of the reservoir is recreational opportunities.
The reservoir offers three lakeside parks for primitive camping, five parks for picnicking, two fishing piers, two swimming areas and five boat ramps to explore the 121 miles of shoreline.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Lake Granbury is a great lake for anglers. Predominant fish found in Lake Granbury are largemouth, striped and white bass as well as channel and flathead catfish.
Visit here for a complete list of amenities and lake map.
In May, the BRA hosts an annual Water Safety Awareness Day at Lake Granbury. The event will be held May 17, 2025 and all activities are free to the public. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about water safety measures while BRA employees hand out free children’s lifejackets, while supplies last.
Visit here to learn more about the annual Water Safety Awareness Day.
Lake Granbury has a variety of activities and amenities to offer visitors of all ages. Come out and enjoy a day in one of the BRA parks lining the shores of Lake Granbury.