Amistad Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amistad Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
| Presa Amistad | |
Amistad Dam and Reservoir
|
|
 Amistad Reservoir
Location in Texas
Amistad Reservoir
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Val Verde County, Texas, United States; Acuña Municipality, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 29°27′01″N 101°03′28″W / 29.45028°N 101.05778°W |
| Type | Hydroelectric reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Rio Grande, Devils River |
| Primary outflows | Rio Grande |
| Basin countries | United States / Mexico |
| Managing agency | International Boundary and Water Commission |
| Built | November 1969 |
| Surface area | 64,900 acres (26,300 ha) |
| Max. depth | 217 ft (66 m) |
| Water volume | 5,658,600 acre⋅ft (6.9798 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,117 ft (340 m) |
Amistad Reservoir (which means "Friendship Dam" in Spanish: Spanish: Presa Amistad) is a large, human-made lake. It sits on the Rio Grande river where it meets the Devils River. The lake is about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Del Rio, Texas.
Part of Amistad Reservoir is in Val Verde County, Texas, in the United States. The other part is in Coahuila, Mexico. The American side of the lake is known as the Amistad National Recreation Area. The lake was created in 1969 when the Amistad Dam was built. Both the dam and the lake are managed by the governments of the United States and Mexico. They work together through a group called the International Boundary and Water Commission.
Contents
Where the Water Comes From
Amistad Reservoir is a key part of the Rio Grande river system. The main river that fills it is the Rio Grande itself, which flows into the lake from the northwest. Another important river, the Devils River, also flows into the lake from the north.
The lake fills up many winding valleys where these two rivers meet. Water leaves the lake through the Amistad Dam on the southern side. From there, the Rio Grande continues flowing southeast towards the Gulf of Mexico. The water that feeds Amistad comes from a very large area. This includes parts of West Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and northern Mexico.
Animals and Plants in the Lake
Amistad Reservoir is a popular spot for fishing. Many types of fish are put into the lake to make fishing even better. You can find fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Guadalupe bass, and catfish here.
The lake also has a lot of plants growing in its waters. The most common plant is called hydrilla.
Sadly, a special type of fish called the Amistad gambusia used to live only in this area. It disappeared from the wild when the reservoir was filled in 1969. Its only home, Goodenough Spring, was covered by about 70 feet (21 meters) of water.
History of the Area
Long ago, the area where Amistad Reservoir now sits was home to Indigenous Americans. They lived in caves along the rivers and left behind many cave paintings. After the Mexican-American War, American explorers like John Coffee Hays traveled through this region. They were trying to create a good road from San Antonio to El Paso.
In 1944, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty. This agreement suggested building a large dam and lake on the Rio Grande. The goal was to help control floods, save water, provide water for farms, create electricity, and offer fun activities.
Construction of the Amistad Dam started in December 1964. It was finished in November 1969. After the dam was built, the reservoir began to fill up. This flooded many valleys around where the Rio Grande and Devils River meet. The dam and lake are managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission. This group was set up in 1889 by the US and Mexican governments. Their job is to manage the border, share river water, and help with flood control and clean water.
Fun Things to Do
While the dam was being built, the land around the American side of the lake was named the Amistad National Recreation Area. This means it's a special place for outdoor fun!
The lake offers many water activities all year round. You can go boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and water-skiing. There are also other fun things to do like picnicking, camping, and hunting. The area is also rich in old archaeological sites and rock art. It has many different kinds of plants and animals. Fishing tournaments are held here every year and are even shown on TV!
See Also
