Lake Houston

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

Location and creation

Located in between the neighborhoods 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 developed in 1953 when the City of Houston developed the dam to impound a tank to change Sheldon Lake, then the primary source of water for the city. The city offered 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.

Fish and plant populations

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

Leisure uses

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