720 East Park Boulevard Suite 202, Plano, Texas 75074, United States
It can be a struggle for commercial property owners to find dependable, high-quality commercial roofing contractors in Lake Dallas, TX. Big cities like Dallas have plenty of commercial roofing options. Unfortunately, many "experts" are unreliable, undertrained, and unable to meet the strict demands that many business owners have.
At Atlas National Roofing, we understand how crucial it is to have a well-installed, functional roofing system for your property. Perhaps more importantly, our team has the knowledge and experience needed to produce at the highest level of business. We mix traditional Lake Dallas, TX values, unmatched craftsmanship, and a passion for commercial roofing to give our customers the very best products available.
We serve a wide range of clients, including property managers, retailers, building operators, and industrial builders who need trustworthy commercial roofing techs to maintain, repair, and monitor their properties.
As your reliable contractor, our goal is to make your experience as simple and streamlined as possible, whether you're in need of commercial roof repairs, maintenance, renovations, or a full replacement. We're happy to work closely with owners and managers who must adhere to regulations and budgets.
We provide warrantable work, honest assessments, and a team of pros with each project we accept. And with real-time updates and easy-to-understand invoices, you're never left in the dark when Atlas National Roofing is on the job.
We specialize in many types of commercial roofing services:
At the end of the day, our goal is to provide the highest-quality commercial roofing solutions and superior service for every client - no questions asked. Here are just a few reasons why customers choose Atlas over the competition:
We're committed to delivering the highest quality roofing services and always respond quickly to your unique needs.
Our commercial roofing crews are true experts who have years of training and real-world roofing experience. We only recruit dedicated, conscientious team members at Atlas National Roofing.
Without the proper tools for the job, your project will be a disaster. That's why our contractors use up-to-date equipment, allowing them to work safely, efficiently, and up to the highest industry standards.
Some of our commercial roofing specialties include:
Let's be honest: roof replacements are no small task, especially for commercial and industrial properties. Of course, regular care and maintenance go a long way in extending the life of your roof, but with time, even the toughest roofs have to be replaced. When it does, you need a roofing team that understands the complexities of commercial roof replacement. And when it comes to the highest quality roof replacement services, Atlas is the top choice in Lake Dallas, TX.
A new roof for your company helps protect your staff, inventory, clients, and business from loss, while increasing your property's value. Additionally, our replacement systems help lower your ongoing maintenance costs and boost your building's energy efficiency.
When you trust Atlas National Roofing with your replacement project, we will work closely with you to understand the scope of your business and its budgetary requirements. Our mission is to provide you with the best roof replacement options for your needs, completed promptly, so you can focus on growing your business.
Our re-roofing services include:
Whether you have a low-slope or steep-sloped commercial roof in Lake Dallas, TX, Atlas provides expert repairs for your commercial property. Issues like roof leaks can damage your inventory, deter customers from doing business with you, and interrupt your day-to-day operations. If your roof needs dependable, effective repairs, we're here to help.
Our roof repair service team works with multi-family property owners, single building owners, property managers, and maintenance supervisors in various industries. We approach each project with safety in mind, fierce attention to detail, and the latest repair techniques. That way, we achieve maximum quality assurance and long-lasting repairs for your property.
Here are just a few ways we can help with your repair project:
Investigating and repairing a commercial roofing water leak necessitates advanced skills and training. Understanding and mastering the dynamics of commercial rooftop water intrusion takes specialized training and years of experience. We're proud to say that when Atlas National Roofing is on the job, you're working with one of the top repair teams in the industry.
Oftentimes, manufacturers require building owners to uphold a preventative maintenance plan for their roof's warranty. Some providers even offer warranty extensions for those who have a program in place. Investing in preventative maintenance from Atlas now can save your major capital expenditures down the line.
Having a reliable maintenance program in place is important for your commercial roof. That's why Atlas offers contracts for regularly scheduled maintenance and repair visits. Contact our office today to learn more about how our team can maintain your commercial roof on an ongoing basis.
A functional roof is a crucial component of your commercial building's structural integrity. It will protect you from the elements and add aesthetic appeal to your property when properly maintained. However, when your roof falls into disarray, a variety of problems can occur. Keep your eye out for the following signs that your commercial roof needs repair:
Commercial roofs are made with materials meant for outdoor conditions, but too much moisture or heat can cause blistering that allows moisture in, weakening your roof's structure. When this happens, your roof ages prematurely, thereby reducing its ability to protect you and your customers or tenants.
Standing water can have incredibly damaging effects on your commercial roofing system. It can cause leaks that deteriorate your roof's integrity, which leads to water intrusion. When water intrudes on your property, it can cause a litany of health hazards associated with mold and bacteria. When you spot standing water on your roof, your roof's support system may be seriously compromised, especially with wooden materials.
Having a drainage system that works well is crucial for the health of your commercial roof. If scuppers or drains are clogged with debris and waste, water pools on your roof. Gaps in flashing can also cause water to permeate the building. Additionally, worn seams and cracks can give water access inside. Keep a sharp eye out for signs of clogged drains and gaps in your roof's flashing. If you notice these signs, you could need commercial roof repair.
Facility managers and commercial building owners know they'll have to consider roof replacement eventually. This type of service often requires a significant investment and halts day-to-day operations while the new roof is installed.
Fortunately, restoration is a cost-effective alternative to re-roofing for some commercial property owners. By implementing our advanced roof restoration systems, we can help restore your facility's roof membrane, extending its life and saving your money.
However, there is a window of opportunity for roof restoration. If 25% or less of your commercial roof needs to be replaced, restoration could be an attractive option for you.
Our licensed roofing technicians promptly identify problem areas and provide accurate estimates for resealing cracks, crevices, and gaps. Our team can also help eliminate and prevent roof leaks, further extending the lifespan of your commercial roofing system. We make it a point to carry out our roof restoration projects in a way that doesn't interfere with your daily operations or business productivity.
Atlas National Roofing takes a step-by-step approach to discover whether your property is suitable for restoration:
Gather Info: Our team will gather as much info about your building and its roofing system as possible. If suitable, we'll speak with your management team to determine factors like the age of your roof and the impact of previous repairs.
Inspect from Below: This step involves inspecting your underlying roof deck. That way, we can identify concerns like areas of water penetration and advanced degradation of your current roof deck.
Inspect from Above: We'll "walk your roof" to get an understanding of your commercial roof's overall condition. We want to be sure that restoration is a feasible option for your roof.
Assessment: We'll consider everything we've learned from the previous steps and advise you on your restoration options. We'll touch on your current roof and which coatings are appropriate. We can also talk about environmental concerns, how long restoration will last, the potential for tax credits, and the best restoration options for your geographic location.
With the rise of platforms like YouTube, DIY enthusiasts seem to be everywhere. However, regardless of how many DIY videos you study, your skills won't be on par with a professional commercial roofing contractor. Many DIYers claim they can save money by cutting out the pros, but this tactic usually leads to costly mistakes that cause more harm than good.
If you're in need of quality commercial roofing, it's always best to leave it to a reputable, experienced company like Atlas. Here's why:
Building codes in Lake Dallas, TX are regulations drafted to govern how commercial construction projects are handled. When you don't adhere to building codes and try to construct a new roof with an untrained crew, mistakes are made codes are violated. That means you'll have to incur all the losses associated with demolishing the roof, as well as the cost of doing it right.
It makes sense, then, to hire a team of professionals to get the job done right the first time. At Atlas National Roofing, our contractors are always up-to-date on the latest commercial building codes to ensure your roofing projects are completed without any hiccups.
This benefit sounds like a no-brainer, but it deserves to be highlighted because of how important it is. Your safety and your customers' safety should be top of mind when you own a commercial property. Hiring licensed, trained commercial roofing experts keeps you safe by:
Having a properly maintained roof day in and day out. When your commercial roof is in good shape and working correctly, you and your customers are safer.
Commercial roof repair is a dangerous job for novices. A quick search online will bring up dozens of cases in Lake Dallas, TX where DIYers get injured trying to construct or repair their commercial property's roof.
The highest quality craftsmanship only comes with years of hands-on commercial roofing experience. You could watch every roofing DIY roofing video online, but the quality of your work will never match that of a professional with years of work under their belt.
After all, commercial roofing involves much more than a few nails and some elbow grease. You must consider factors like installing ventilation outlets, roof coatings, and drainage options. Every commercial roofing contractor at Atlas is vetted and has years of training and experience, to handle the most complex commercial roofing projects in Lake Dallas, TX.
Budgets are a big deal in the world of commercial roofing. Going over budget can mean the difference between completing a project and waiting for approval on funds. That's why our management team provides accurate estimates, detailed schedules, transparent deadlines, and consistent communication with our clients.
As business owners, we know how hectic day-to-day life can be and how maintaining your roof can be a huge headache. In a sense, these situations are why we founded Atlas National Roofing - to be the proverbial aspirin for your commercial roofing pains. Whether you need simple repairs for your storefront or a total roof replacement for a multi-family building, we're here to exceed expectations.
Our approach is simple - deliver the highest quality, professional roofing services in Lake Dallas, TX. Our keys to great roofing are:
Contact our office today to learn more about our full-service roofing solutions. If you're looking for a commercial roofing company that will help you maximize your investment, you're in the right place.
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Fairfield Lake State Park, 96 miles south of Dallas, is expected to close permanently by the end of the month because its landlord is selling the land.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receiv...
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Fairfield Lake State Park, 96 miles south of Dallas, is expected to close permanently by the end of the month because its landlord is selling the land.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department received a lease termination notice from the owners, Vistra Corp., which had operated the Big Brown coal power plant at that location until the plant shuttered in 2018. Vistra is selling its 5,000-acre property to Dallas-based real estate developer Shawn Todd and his firm, Todd Interests, for $110.5 million.
Todd announced the land will be turned into an exclusive gated community, which includes multimillion-dollar homes and a private golf course, The Dallas Morning News and Bloomberg reported.
Fairfield isn’t the only state park on borrowed land. There are 14 other public parks, like Cedar Hill, Lake Whitney and Ray Roberts Lake, that could face a similar fate.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Chair Arch “Beaver” Aplin III said the agency attempted to purchase the state park site, but neither the company nor the buyer would consider selling part or all of the land to the state. The park includes 1,460 acres of land and the 2,400-acre Fairfield Lake.
A renowned fishing spot, the lake attracts anglers who fish for bass, crappie, perch, catfish, tilapia and red drum. The lake is also popular for swimming and kayaking, while the surrounding land offers 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horse riding. With close to 250 species of birds recorded — including the bald eagle — the park is a bird-watching heaven.
For more than 50 years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department leased land for the state park from energy companies, Vistra and Luminant. Since 1976, the state has invested $72 million in renovations and improvements to the park.
“This is an unprecedented loss of a state treasure for Texans,” said David Yoskowitz, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “The demand for outdoor recreation exceeds supply in Texas, so losing even one state park is a setback for all of us who enjoy publicly accessible lands.”
The department said the park will close permanently Feb. 28. The Vistra spokesperson said the state will have 120 days from Feb. 13 — the date the lease termination was sent — to vacate the property. During that time, park staff will begin to remove equipment, relocate staff members to other parks and cancel upcoming camping reservations. More than 2,700 people had already reserved spots for dates after Feb. 27, according to a press release.
Aplin said the selling of the parkland was a surprise and will have a huge impact on Fairfield, a town of about 2,800 people.
“They had been a coal-producing plant for some 40 or 50 years,” he said. “So when they decided to shut down, we didn’t see that coming. … [We] had no way of knowing.”
A Vistra spokesperson said the company has leased the land to the state at no cost and gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department a two-year notice that it intended to terminate the lease effective October 2020. The spokesperson said Vistra encouraged the state to submit a bid to buy the entire property — but the state did not submit a bid.
Since 2016, Irving-based corporation Vistra has closed or announced the closure of 19 coal plants as what was once the state’s largest electricity generator pivoted to solar power, investing about $850 million toward seven solar projects in Texas.
“This is one of their big attractors in their community,” Aplin said of the Fairfield area. “People come to the park and shop in the town of Fairfield. We had 83,000 people come to the park last year. It’s a big deal, not only for our agency, but for the community and Freestone County.”
State Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Itasca, whose district includes the park, filed a bill Tuesday that, if passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, would allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to use eminent domain to seize the park’s land.
Orr said lawmakers also are working on a bill to prevent more state parks from being closed.
“This treasured piece of Texas has blessed our local families and countless visitors for generations, and losing it is hard to comprehend,” she said. “I join park lovers in Freestone County and across the state in expressing my sincere disappointment in hearing this news. As a result, we are now working on legislation to prevent this from ever occurring in any of our other beautiful state parks going forward.”
Luke Metzger, executive director of the advocacy group Environment Texas, said it was especially tragic that the park will close during the 100-year anniversary of the state park system.
“Our state parks are sacred to us as Texans,” Metzger said. “Unfortunately, this loss means fewer nights camped, fewer fish reeled in and fewer memories with our families.
“Texas desperately needs more state parks, not fewer,” he added.
State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, who chairs the Business and Commerce Committee voiced his displeasure Tuesday.
“Today’s heartbreaking announcement of the closing of Fairfield Lake State Park is a tremendous loss for Freestone County and all Texans who enjoy our state’s unique parklands,” he said. “It is unfortunate that Vistra and this private developer were unable to come to an agreement that would have allowed the state of Texas to purchase the park from Vistra to maintain it for future generations of Texans.”
Disclosure: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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Texas and federal regulators have failed to uphold Clean Air Act obligationsDALLAS — Yesterday, ...
DALLAS — Yesterday, Sierra Club sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to implement a federal plan to eliminate harmful levels of sulfur dioxide pollution from Luminant’s Martin Lake coal plant, as required by the Clean Air Act. EPA has dodged obligations to bring Martin Lake and other Texas power plants into compliance with the Clean Air Act’s sulfur dioxide safeguards for more than a decade.
“Martin Lake is the worst sulfur dioxide and mercury polluter in the entire country,” said Misti O’Quinn, Sierra Club’s Organizing Representative for the Beyond Coal Campaign in Texas. “Failure to implement a plan to keep our air clean puts lives at risk from Rusk County to Dallas County. EPA needs to do its job and protect the health and environment of Texas residents.”
Sulfur dioxide is a dangerous chemical that can harm lung function, worsen asthma attacks, and put sensitive groups – like people with heart disease – at extreme risk. In response to a lawsuit for failing to implement the Clean Air Act’s sulfur dioxide protections, EPA determined in 2016 that levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding the Martin Lake coal plant fail to meet national health-based standards, making the air unhealthy to breathe. Since then, Texas’s own monitoring data has confirmed these routine violations.
Martin Lake is the only significant source of dangerous sulfur dioxide in the Longview area. Under the Clean Air Act, if a polluter fails to meet the air safety standards independently, and the state fails to require pollution reductions necessary to meet the standard, the EPA is obligated to enforce the law by implementing a federal clean-up plan. But EPA has not done so. And Martin Lake still does not have common-sense pollution controls, like modern scrubbers used across the industry, to reduce pollution to safer levels in compliance with national air quality standards.
“Under the Clean Air Act, Texas had an obligation to ensure that the Martin Lake area came into compliance with EPA’s sulfur dioxide limits no later than 2021,” said Emma Pabst, a representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. “The state refused to do anything and has instead opted to join with Luminant – the same wealthy corporation that is selling Fairfield Lake State Park to developers – and fight the EPA’s determination that Martin Lake needs to clean up. The Clean Air Act is clear: EPA must now finish the job and step in with a federal plan.”
Sierra Club’s lawsuit will force EPA to implement a federal plan that requires Martin Lake to reduce emissions and come into compliance with national, health-based sulfur dioxide safeguards. EPA generally has 60 days to file an answer to the complaint.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — From mountains and canyons to forests and swamps, the vast scale of Texas provides so many natural wonders.Across the Lone Star State, there are 87 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, opened in 2012. TPWD also has plans to develop five sites into ...
AUSTIN (KXAN) — From mountains and canyons to forests and swamps, the vast scale of Texas provides so many natural wonders.
Across the Lone Star State, there are 87 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, opened in 2012. TPWD also has plans to develop five sites into future state parks.
Fairfield Lake State Park, meanwhile, is set to permanently close at the end of February.
TPWD splits the state into seven ‘natural regions,’ each of which is home to several state parks. The Prairies & Lakes region is home to 22 parks, more than any other region. The South Texas Plains region is home to the fewest, with seven parks.
Across the system, state parks welcomed more than nine million visitors in Fiscal Year 2022. The Prairies & Lakes region recorded the most visitors, with more than 3.1 million across its 22 parks.
The Hill Country region welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors across 16 parks, while the Pineywoods and Panhandle Plains regions each saw more than one million visitors.
State parks in the Big Bend Country region saw the fewest number of visitors, with around 464,000. Those numbers do not include visitors to Big Bend National Park, which alone saw more than half a million visitors in 2021, a record high for the park.
But which individual state park gets the most visitors? Explore for yourself using our interactive table below, or keep scrolling to see our top 10 countdown.
10. Inks Lake State Park
TPWD calls Inks Lake State Park a Hill Country gem, with “sparkling blue water, colorful rock outcrops and striking sunsets.” The park welcomed 232,690 visitors in FY 2022.
9. Guadalupe River State Park
While many people enjoy swimming at Guadalupe River State Park, TPWD says the park is more than just a swimming hole, saying “beautiful scenery and colorful history await.” The park welcomed 238,841 visitors in FY 2022.
8. Dinosaur Valley State Park
TPWD says dinosaur footprints were left in the mud at the edge of an ancient ocean. At Dinosaur Valley State Park, you can literally walk in their tracks. The park welcomed 243,001 visitors in FY 2022.
7. Brazos Bend State Park
If you’re looking for a “wild” experience, TPWD says to check out Brazos Bend State Park, calling it a “nature lover’s paradise.” The park welcomed 272,837 visitors in FY 2022.
6. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Climbing the giant granite dome “is almost a rite of passage for Texans,” TPWD says. But there’s more to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. “The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too!” The park welcomed 307,686 visitors in FY 2022.
5. Cedar Hill State Park
Just 20 miles from downtown Dallas, Cedar Hill State Park feels like “a world away from the city,” TPWD says. The park includes a lake, a working farm from the 1800s and rugged limestone hills. The park welcomed 324,420 visitors in FY 2022.
4. McKinney Falls State Park
TPWD says McKinney Falls State Park, within the city of Austin, features “rugged beauty.” Onion Creek flows over limestone ledges and trails wind through the Hill Country woods. The park welcomed 335,332 visitors in FY 2022.
3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is referred to by TPWD as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” In fact, it’s the second-largest canyon in the U.S., behind only — you guessed it — the Grand Canyon. The park welcomed 442,242 visitors in FY 2022.
2. Garner State Park
Swimming, dancing and hiking are some of the highlights at Garner State Park. TPWD says “fun traditions and beautiful scenery” bring people back time after time. The park welcomed 517,317 visitors in FY 2022.
1. Ray Roberts Lake State Park
TPWD calls Ray Roberts Lake State Park a “natural playground.” You can escape the bustle of the DFW Metroplex and “get back to nature.” The park welcomed 885,173 visitors in FY 2022.
Stay tuned — we’ll be counting down the top 10 least-visited state parks next week!
Texas is home to thousands of lakes, ponds, and other waterways, some man-made and some natural. These amazing places are often important recreational and civic resources, making them essential to the long-term viability of a region. Today, we are going to learn about one of the largest lakes in Texas, Lewisville Lake. This reservoir has been around for nearly 100 years and continues to be an impor...
Texas is home to thousands of lakes, ponds, and other waterways, some man-made and some natural. These amazing places are often important recreational and civic resources, making them essential to the long-term viability of a region. Today, we are going to learn about one of the largest lakes in Texas, Lewisville Lake. This reservoir has been around for nearly 100 years and continues to be an important feature of the landscape. Let’s get started and discover: How deep is Lake Lewisville in Texas?
Lewisville Lake is a large man-made lake (reservoir) located in the northern part of Texas, in the United States. The lake has a maximum length of 11 miles (18 kilometers), a maximum width of 4.24 miles (6.82 kilometers), and a surface area of 29,592 acres. This makes Lewisville Lake one of the largest lakes in Texas. It covers an area roughly that of the city of San Francisco.
The maximum depth of Lewisville Lake is 67 feet (20 meters), which is about the height of a six-story building. The lake has a water volume of 555,000 acre-feet, which is equivalent to about 723 billion gallons of water. This is enough water to cover an area of 29,592 acres to a depth of one foot.
The surface elevation of Lewisville Lake is 522 feet (159 meters) above sea level, which is higher than the surrounding terrain. This makes the lake a popular spot for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and water sports.
Lewisville Lake is located in North Texas, in the United States. It sits on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Denton County, near the city of Lewisville. The lake is conveniently located in the heart of North Texas, nearly in the middle and to the north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
One of the nearby points of interest is Lake Ray Roberts, located north of Lewisville Lake. The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) Nature Preserve is situated to the south of the lake. Lewisville, the city after which the lake is named, is found to the south and western shore of the lake.
Lewisville Lake in Texas has a rich history, dating back to the early 20th century. The W.E. Callahan Construction Company finished the Garza Dam in 1927, creating Lake Dallas. This dam was 10,890 feet long and had a 567-foot service spillway. It also had a capacity of 194,000 acre-feet, with around 43 miles of shoreline. It served as the primary water source for the city of Dallas for 31 years.
However, in the 1940s, it became clear that the region needed increased water storage capabilities and more flood control for the wet seasons. Congress passed the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1945, which began the construction of the project in the Trinity River basin. Engineers worked on the Garza-Little Elm Dam between 1948 and 1954. The super-structure combined Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, and Little Elm Creek into one.
At 32,888 feet long, the Lewisville Dam was officially completed in 1955, and the Garza Dam was subsequently released in 1957 to create the new lake, which was named the Garza-Little Elm Reservoir. The Garza-Little Elm Reservoir would eventually be renamed Lewisville Lake, which is what it is known as today.
During later construction, workers stumbled upon an archaeological site and found ancient artifacts dating to Paleo-Indian people groups from 36,000 B.P. (before present). Although later studies in 1978 concluded that the original dating was contaminated, and an updated date of c. 12,000 B.P. was subsequently used.
Lewisville Lake is home to a diverse population of fish and other aquatic wildlife.
The lake is known for its abundance of largemouth bass, which is the most popular fish in Texas. Spotted bass and white and hybrid striped bass are also found in the lake. White crappie is also a predominant fish species in the lake and provides the most fishing activity by the numbers.
The lake is also home to excellent blue and channel catfish fisheries. The lake’s shoreline and some coves provide small stands of pondweed that can support the fish’s prime habitat. Anglers can also enjoy targeting hybrid striped bass, which is periodically stocked by the TPWD (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) to provide more sport fish.
Unfortunately, the lake (along with many others in Texas) is suffering from an invasive species, the zebra mussel. Boaters are warned to take extra precautions before traveling to other water bodies by thoroughly cleaning, draining, and drying their boats, trailers, live wells, and other gear to prevent the spread of these mussels. These mussels are harmful to native aquatic ecosystems because they reproduce rapidly and can outcompete native species for food and habitat. They also filter large amounts of water, which can disrupt the food web and change the water chemistry in ways that are detrimental to native species. Additionally, zebra mussels can cause significant economic damage by clogging water intake pipes at power plants, municipal water treatment facilities, and industrial facilities, which is the prime reason that Lewisville Lake exists in the first place.
Colby is a freelance writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. When he isn't distracted by his backyard birdfeeder, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone around him about what he's recently learned. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it!
Vector Brewing in Lake Highlands is officially the best brewpub in Texas.At the Texas Craft Brewers Cup, Vector won two gold medals and a silver for its beers, good for a special bonus trophy: Brewery of the Year.“It’s a cool feeling,” says Craig Bradley, one of Vector’s owners. “We always viewed awards as, they are what they are—they’re not going to sell beer. But it is great validation for what we do...
Vector Brewing in Lake Highlands is officially the best brewpub in Texas.
At the Texas Craft Brewers Cup, Vector won two gold medals and a silver for its beers, good for a special bonus trophy: Brewery of the Year.
“It’s a cool feeling,” says Craig Bradley, one of Vector’s owners. “We always viewed awards as, they are what they are—they’re not going to sell beer. But it is great validation for what we do and the hard work we put into our beer.”
The Texas Craft Brewers Cup, part of the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, is an annual competition-slash-meetup in which the state’s breweries enter their best efforts across a range of categories, from light lagers to “decadent beers” (the latter was won this year by something called “Pear Blueberry Crumble Super Smoothie Beer”). In total, 52 judges tasted 852 different beers from 147 producers. They then handed out gold, silver, and bronze medals in 27 categories.
Vector entered six brews. Its two gold medal winners were Pho Sho, a pho-inspired beer in the “field and fruit” category for drinks with fruit, vegetable, or herb additives; and Moonsmoke, an ultra-light smoked lager in a nearly extinct German style called Lichtenhainer. Open Rhythms, an American pale ale, got a silver among pale ales.
“Moonsmoke is our little baby,” Bradley says. “It’s a very old German-style beer that uses smoke and a little tart acidity. It’s such a weird beer. We tell people, ‘You’re not going to like this on first sip. It takes about four to five sips until you’re like, “Oh, I do want to keep drinking this.”’ It’s a Texas beer. We love smoked foods in Texas, so why not have a little tart smoke in beer?”
Vector was not the only Dallas-area winner this weekend, by the way: Deep Ellum’s Neato Bandito won gold for best golden or blond ale, and Lakewood Brewing’s Lion Share X was named the best barrel-aged brew. A full list of Dallas-area medalists is at the end of this story.
But Vector’s total medal haul was big enough to net it the Brewery of the Year award in the brewpub size category, for businesses producing 600 or fewer barrels each year. The trophy for best larger craft brewery went to Houston’s True Anomaly Brewing. For context: in 2022, the Dallas Observer reported that Peticolas Brewing makes around 5,000 barrels a year. Deep Ellum makes ten times more than Peticolas does—or almost a hundred times more beer than Vector produces.
“I don’t know that I care about being in every grocery store,” Bradley says. “This is more my speed.”
On Sunday, to celebrate Vector’s wins, I stopped by the brewpub and sampled two of the prizewinners: Open Rhythms and Pho Sho.
Both beers are triumphs. Pho Sho is made with a long list of classic pho ingredients, including lemongrass, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and cardamom, but it really doesn’t taste like all of that. Daringly, head brewer Tomás Gutierrez radically revised the recipe for the competition batch, but his rewrites paid off.
Pho Sho doesn’t taste like pho, which may be a relief to many drinkers. Instead, the lime comes through most prominently of all, along with a touch of Thai basil. It’s bright, crisp, and has the yeasty funk of some Belgian saisons and wits. Actually, though, the drink it tastes most like is a shandy. In Germany, they have a summertime habit of mixing a lager with a bit of 7 Up. Pho Sho tastes a lot like that.
Open Rhythms is even easier to love. It pushes hard on hop flavor and aroma without being especially bitter.
“Pale ales kind of get a bad rap,” Bradley says. “They’re not a flashy IPA or a hazy IPA. But we still love them. Sierra Nevada is a classic American beer. Open Rhythms is a beer we came out of the gate with.”
Vector also entered its light beer, Bullpen, and two pilsners, Bo and Mountain Child, the former Bohemian-style and the latter an Alpine-inspired German version. They lost out, but Bradley says that the Vector team was still impressed when they saw their competition: some of the most celebrated beers in Texas. Two of the light beers that topped Bullpen are made by fellow Dallas-area breweries ODD Muse and Celestial Beerworks.
“Most times you go to brewery awards, and IPAs, pale ales, and hazy IPAs are the top entered beers,” Bradley explains. “In Texas, pilsner is the top entered beer. In Texas, if you enter a lager, it’s going to be hard competition. We love that kind of competition.”
The Texas Craft Brewers Cup is only in its second year, but the competition is already a tour-de-force show of strength for our state’s beer industry. This year’s winners range from Lubbock and Amarillo to Pearland and Marble Falls.
For Vector Brewing, there’s an added sweetness to the recognition. The brewpub almost failed before it opened when its small business loans were held up by the 2018-19 federal government shutdown. It then managed to finally open its doors—in March 2020. To stay alive, Vector’s founders and brewers stayed true to themselves.
“We were like, we’ve gotten this far, what’s a little global pandemic?” Bradley recalls. “We’re a family business. We’ve sunk everything into it. Failure was not an option. We have a really close-knit team and some awesome folks who have poured everything into this place. So let’s not compromise, let’s not cut corners.”
The result, this weekend, was a new trophy case.
Armor Brewing Co., Allen
Celestial Beerworks, Dallas
Deep Ellum Brewing Company, Dallas
Lakewood Brewing, Garland
ODD Muse Brewing, Farmers Branch
Rollertown Beerworks, Celina
Siren Rock Brewing, Rockwall
Vector Brewing, Dallas
White Rock Alehouse, Dallas