Lake Nacogdoches
Lake Nacogdoches is a reservoir located about 10 miles west of the city of Nacogdoches, Texas on Loco Bayou dam.[1] Loco Bayou is a tributary of the Angelina River, part of the Neches River basin.[2]
History
[edit]The Loco Bayou, which created Lake Nacogdoches, was constructed and completed by Freese & Nichols from the mid-1970s to 1977.[3][2] It is an earthen dam constructed for municipal water supply, yet its primary purpose was recreational.[2][4] Currently, the Lake is operated and owned by the City of Nacogdoches.
Debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia, which had disintegrated during re-entry in 2003, were found in the lake during a 2011 drought.[5]
Hydrology
[edit]The lake was impounded in 1976, has a surface area of 2,212 acres, and a maximum depth of 40 feet.[1] Currently, the lake quality has a clarity value of moderately clear. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the capacity of the lake at a normal level is 42,318 acre-feet and a maximum value of 122,000 acre-feet.[2]
Flora
[edit]According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the aquatic flora that are found in the lake are mainly Hydrilla and the American lotus.[1]
Fauna
[edit]According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the main fish species that occupy Nacogdoches lake are: Largemouth bass, Crappie, and Sunfish.[1]
Uses/Purpose
[edit]Presently, Lake Nacogdoches is used primarily for game fishing.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Fishing Nacogdoches Lake". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ a b c d "Lake Nacogdoches". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Home - Freese and Nichols". www.freese.com. 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Bayou Loco Dam in Nacogdoches County, TX". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Space shuttle Columbia part found in East Texas". CNN. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on August 2, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2022.