A Look at the Ecological Importance of Lake Austin

Austin TX real estate developer Gary Bradley made his name in 1977, when as a 27-year-old entrepreneur he built Rob Roy, up to that time the largest suburban development in the area. He situated the exclusive community along the shoreline of Lake Austin, then the sole source of potable water for the city. With Rob Roy, Gary Bradley won praise from environmental organizations for adherence to forward-thinking standards for development on ecologically sensitive land.

Today, Lake Austin remains a source of pride in the region. One of the area’s four chief lakes - along with Lake Travis, Lady Bird Lake, and Lake Walter E. Long - it drains into the vast sweep of the Colorado River. All of these bodies of water continue to play a critical role in the local ecosystem, offering habitats for a number of species of wildlife. They are all additionally the main receptors for stormwater runoff from local housing developments. 

Most of Lake Austin’s shoreline is privately owned, which limits the amount of bank fishing and boat ramp space available. The city has adopted conservation measures that include temporary cage-planting of native aquatic flora, which affords the growing plants protection from predatory marine life. This vegetation, in turn, supplies a cover for smaller fish and other lake denizens while contributing to a more diverse ecology along the shore. 

In 2014, the city completed work on a water treatment plant funneled out of Lake Travis, adding to its capacity to supply its residents with clean drinking water.

Grey Rock Golf Club Offers a Sporting Paradise

In the early 1980s, Austin, TX, real estate developer Gary Bradley began work on what would become one of his most notable projects--Circle C Ranch, just southwest of the city. The community has since become a luxurious place for discerning Texans to make their homes. Gary Bradley’s vision of a master-planned community that offers access to the best-available public schools and amenities also is directly adjacent to Grey Rock Golf Club, one of the state’s best courses.

Grey Rock operates an 18-hole course set among the green hill country of southwest Austin.

The late Jay Morrish, a past president of the American Society of Golf Club Architects and himself a world-renowned designer, served as the course architect for Grey Rock. His course winds through stands of majestic oak trees, nature-focused backdrop for a game. The trees are, however, more than just scenery. They also provide a number of intricate challenges to even the most seasoned golfers.

A par 4, the first hole offers the first challenge. Its position steers players between trees and water, with a high bank and substantial bunkers. The fifth hole offers a similar terrain, with the bunkers presenting the main obstacle. The fifth hole’s dogleg left and uneven surfaces offer further chances to prove one’s skill and agility. And the whole back nine is filled with doglegs, with the final hole--a par 4--providing particular challenges for long hitters.