Kirby Lake

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For the lake in Minnesota, see Kirby Lake (Minnesota).
Kirby Lake
Location of Kirby Lake in Texas, USA.
Location of Kirby Lake in Texas, USA.
Kirby Lake
LocationAbilene, Texas
Coordinates32°22′35.34″N 99°44′4.46″W / 32.3764833°N 99.7345722°W / 32.3764833; -99.7345722
Typereservoir
Built1928
Surface area740 acres (300 ha)
Max. depth16 ft (4.9 m)
Kirby at sunset

Kirby Lake is a 740-acre man-made reservoir located on the south side of Abilene, Texas, just east of Highway 83, in the northeastern portion of Taylor County. Management is under the City of Abilene.[1]

Geography[]

It was impounded in 1928 and has a maximum depth of 16 feet.[1] The surrounding area is mainly prairies with loamy soil. The lake is part of the Colorado River Basin (Texas), Brazos forks.[2]

Angling[]

Kirby Lake is a popular lake for fishing, in particular blue or other catfishes, as well as bluegill. Like most lakes in the region, largemouth bass, carp, white crappie, and other fish also live in the waters.[1] Most people fish directly from the banks rather than using a boat.[3]

Wildlife[]

The lake is known for a number of bird species, including pectoral sandpiper, cactus wren, Baird's sandpiper, and the more rare long-tailed jaeger, red knot, and red phalarope. Desert cardinals, scarlet tanagers, and various waterfowl can also be seen in their spring and fall migrations.[4]

The entire region is known for its diversity in butterflies, and the greatest variety can be found at Kirby Lake: Pipevine swallowtail, sleepy orange, Reakirt's blue, Horace's duskywing, tawny emperor, common buckeye, sachem, and others.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Kirby Lake".
  2. ^ Alvarez, Elizabeth Cruce (2012). Texas Almanac 2012-2013. Texas State Historical Association - University of North Texas. ISBN 978-0-87611-247-2. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "Kirby Lake popular with local anglers". Abilene Reporter-News. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  4. ^ Foster, Jim (2011). Birding Trails Texas: Prairies and Pineywoods, Panhandle, 216 Trails for the Avid Birder. Sandhill Crane Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-932098-90-7. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  5. ^ Wauer, Roland H. (2006). Finding Butterflies in Texas: A Guide to the Best Sites. Johnson Books / Big Earth Publishing. pp. 48–50. ISBN 1-55566-366-4. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
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