Lake Houston

Lake Houston
Location 15 miles (24 km) northeast of downtown Houston, Texas
Coordinates 29°57.53′N 95°8.93′W / 29.95883°N 95.14883°W / 29.95883; -95.14883Coordinates: 29°57.53′N 95°8.93′W / 29.95883°N 95.14883°W / 29.95883; -95.14883
Type Municipal water reservoir
Primary inflows west fork of the San Jacinto River
Primary outflows San Jacinto River
Basin countries United States
Surface area 11,854 acres (4,797 ha)
Max. depth 45 ft (14 m)
Water volume 160,000 acre·ft (0.20 km3)[1]
Surface elevation 44 ft (13 m)

Lake Houston is a reservoir on the San Jacinto River, 15 miles (24 km) northeast of downtown Houston, Texas, United States. The reservoir is the primary municipal water supply for the city of Houston.

Location and creation

Situated between the communities of Kingwood, Atascocita and Humble on the west bank, Sheldon on the south, and Crosby and Huffman on the east. An earthen dam spans a portion of the southern bank along Dwight D. Eisenhower Park.

The reservoir was created in 1953 when the City of Houston built the dam to impound a reservoir to replace Sheldon Lake, then the primary source of water for the city. The city sold Sheldon Lake to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for use as a waterfowl sanctuary and public fishing site.

The City of Houston annexed the Lake Houston area and a 22.5 miles (36.2 km) canal in 1956.[2]

Fish and plant populations

Lake Houston has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Lake Houston include catfish, largemouth bass, white crappie, and bluegill.

Recreational uses

Boating and fishing are both popular recreational uses of the lake. At the northern end of the lake, Lake Houston Park also has facilities for camping and hiking.

References

  1. ↑ http://documents.publicworks.houstontx.gov/documents/divisions/utilities/history_of_drinking_water_operations.pdf
  2. ↑ Lee, Renée C. "Annexed Kingwood split on effects." Houston Chronicle. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is not included in the online edition.
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