Lake Houston

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.

Lake Houston
Lake Houston
Lake Houston
Location15 miles (24 km) northeast of downtown Houston, Texas
Coordinates29°57.53′N 95°8.93′W
TypeMunicipal water reservoir
Primary inflowswest fork of the San Jacinto River
Primary outflowsSan Jacinto River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area11,854 acres (4,797 ha)
Max. depth45 ft (14 m)
Water volume160,000 acre⋅ft (0.20 km3)[1]
Surface elevation44 ft (13 m)

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 Wilderness Park has rental cabins, facilities for camping, a kayak launch and trails for hiking and biking.

References
  1. Smyer, Susan (January 2008). "History of the City of Houston's Drinking Water Operations" (PDF). City of Houston Department of Public Works. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  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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