The State of Texas owns the water, and LCRA manages the water for the people of Texas. The state issues water rights that allow the holder to use a specific amount of water each year from the river and lakes.
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Many or most are public (state owned) lakes, but much of the land surrounding is privately owned. There's public access/ boat launching facilities, but there are regulations on boating, swimming, and fishing that must be observed.
Accessing Public WaterwaysTechnically, all lakes and streams are owned by the state and are open to public use — it is a right that was laid out in the Texas Constitution.
Fairfield Lake is the largest private lake in the state and is estimated to be about 50-feet deep. The property, marketed by Hortenstine Ranch Company, is in its namesake city of Fairfield and is about 90 miles southeast of Dallas.
Texas has some great lakes to live on throughout all regions of the state, including the DFW area in North Texas, Greater Houston, and the Highland Lakes chain on the Colorado River upstream of Austin. There's no shortage of premium Texas real estate near the water.
In Texas, water rights depend on whether the water is surface water or groundwater. Surface water is publicly owned and governed by the State of Texas. Without a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), landowners may only use surface water for domestic and livestock purposes.
Fairfield Lake State Park, located in Freestone County about 70 miles east of Waco, will close permanently on Feb. 28, after almost 50 years of public access. Vistra Energy owns the land and leases it to the state at no cost.