Lubbock Could Have a New Lake in 20 Years

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Have you ever wished Buffalo Springs Lake was a little closer to Lubbock than what it is? If city leaders and planners have their way, in 20 years you will be spending Memorial Day weekend at Lake #7, also known as the Jim Bertram Lake.

The location is between East Loop 289 and Buffalo Springs Lake. The lake, which is named after a former Lubbock City Employee is 774 acres. The lake will serve as a future water source for Lubbock and there will also be opportunities for recreational events. According to Lubbock officials there is "new energy" and a completion timeline.

According to KAMC, Lubbock City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said the project could cost at least $250 million dollars and will take 17-20 years to complete. Another big benefit of having the new lake? Lubbock will own the water rights:

In 2007, the passage of Senate Bill 675 led to the designation of the lake as a “unique reservoir” that would be used as an additional water supply for the City of Lubbock. Atkinson said the city will own the water rights for the lake.

Jim Bertram Lake is still in the approval process by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The next step will be getting approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“There are lakes around us. We’re able to drive to them if we choose. This one again is about five minutes from outside of the east loop. It’s very, very close to us. It’s in a canyon that I think is just gonna be incredibly, incredibly beautiful,” Atkinson said.

If officials do move forward with the lake, imagine the homes and businesses that will build in 20 or more years. It will absolutely give Lubbock a news look and feel.