Aquilla Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aquilla Lake |
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Aquilla Dam and Lake
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 Aquilla Lake
Location in Texas
Aquilla Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hill County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 31°54′34″N 97°12′12″W / 31.90944°N 97.20333°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Aquilla Creek, Hackberry Creek |
| Primary outflows | Aquilla Creek |
| Catchment area | 255 sq mi (660 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 3,280 acres (1,330 ha) |
| Average depth | 59.5 ft (18.1 m) |
| Water volume | 54,400 acre⋅ft (67,100,000 m3) (normal conservation pool) 146,000 acre⋅ft (180,000,000 m3) (flood pool) |
| Surface elevation | 537 ft (163.7 m) (normal conservation pool) 556 ft (169.5 m) (flood pool) |
Aquilla Lake is a man-made lake, also called a reservoir, located in Hill County, Texas, USA. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This lake is an important part of a bigger plan to control floods in the Brazos River area. Aquilla Lake is about 23 miles (37 km) north of Waco, Texas. It is also directly north of the town of Aquilla.
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Building Aquilla Lake
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built and now owns Aquilla Lake. The lake was created by building a large earthfill dam. This means the dam is mostly made of packed earth. The top of the dam is very long, stretching about 11,890 feet (3,624 meters).
When Was the Dam Built?
Work on the dam began on March 20, 1982. The dam was finished in January 1983. Water started filling the lake on April 29, 1983.
Why Was Aquilla Lake Built?
Aquilla Lake serves several important purposes.
- It helps supply water to nearby communities.
- It controls floods, protecting areas downstream.
- It provides a place for people to enjoy outdoor activities.
Fun Things to Do at Aquilla Lake
Aquilla Lake is a great spot for many outdoor adventures. You can go boating, fishing, or hunting. It's also a wonderful place for watching wildlife.
Fishing at Aquilla Lake
If you love to fish, Aquilla Lake offers some exciting opportunities. The lake has different types of fish, and knowing where to look helps.
Catching Largemouth Bass
Fishing for largemouth bass can be very rewarding here. The water can be a bit cloudy, and there are many hidden spots for fish. This means you might find some big bass, but you'll need to be patient. Try using spinner baits, jig and pork combos, or plastic worms. Look for them near Tree lines, old fencerows, and creek channels.
Finding Crappie
Crappie often hide around sunken brushpiles and large, single trees in the water. Many anglers find success using live minnows as bait for crappie.
Fishing for Catfish
Both channel and blue catfish are found in Aquilla Lake. You can catch them by drift fishing over flat areas. Another method is setting trotlines in shallow, brushy parts of the lake. Good baits for catfish include shad, cutbait, or bloodbait.
Catching White Bass
White bass are often caught by trolling. This means pulling your fishing line behind a boat. Try using small tailspinners, jigs, and spoons. Look for them in windy, flat areas of the lake.
