Lake Waco Wetlands: 180 Acres Born From Raising the Lake Seven Feet

In 1998, Waco voted to raise Lake Waco by seven feet for more water supply. The rise came in 2003 and flooded shoreline habitat. Federal rules required replacement wetland, so the city built about 180 acres of constructed marsh on Eichelberger Crossing Road, northwest of town.

The wetland became more than a box checked. Water from the North Bosque moves through the marsh before it reaches the reservoir. Plants and slow water help clean that flow. A Research and Education Center opened in 2004, and Baylor researchers and school groups use the site as a living lab.

For everyone else, it has about 3.5 miles of quiet trails and boardwalks. It is one of McLennan County's better places to watch herons, ducks, and dragonflies work the water.