Lake Corpus Christi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Corpus Christi |
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 Lake Corpus Christi
Location in Texas
Lake Corpus Christi
Location in the United States
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| Location | Live Oak / San Patricio / Jim Wells counties, Texas, US |
| Coordinates | 28°5.94′N 97°53.35′W / 28.09900°N 97.88917°W |
| Type | Water supply reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Nueces River |
| Primary outflows | Nueces River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 18,256 acres (7,388 ha) |
| Max. depth | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Water volume | 269,900 acre⋅ft (0.3329 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 94 ft (29 m) |
Lake Corpus Christi is a large reservoir (which is like a big, artificial lake) located in southern Texas. It was made by building the Wesley E. Seale Dam across the Nueces River in 1958. The dam and the lake are looked after by the City of Corpus Christi. The lake used to be called Lake Lovenskiold, and some people still call it Lake Mathis because it's near the town of Mathis.
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About Lake Corpus Christi
Lake Corpus Christi is an artificial lake owned by the city of Corpus Christi. It is located about four miles southwest of Mathis, right where the Nueces River flows. The lake touches the borders of three counties: Live Oak, San Patricio, and Jim Wells.
Lake Size and Purpose
The lake's surface area is about 19,336 acres. It collects water from a huge area of 16,656 square miles. The lake can hold about 269,900 acre-feet of water. Its main job is to provide drinking water for the city of Corpus Christi.
The Wesley E. Seale Dam
The lake was created by the Wesley E. Seale Dam. This dam is made of earth and stands about 75 feet tall. It was designed by Ambursen Engineering and built by Henry B. Zachry. When this new dam was built, it covered up an older dam called the Mathis Dam.
Surrounding Area
In 1934, the state of Texas leased 288 acres around the lake from the city. This land was set aside to become a park. The land around the lake is mostly flat or gently rolling. It has deep, fine sandy soil that supports forests, bushes, and grasses.
Uses of Lake Corpus Christi
Lake Corpus Christi is very important for the people of Texas. It provides drinking water for the city of Corpus Christi. But it's also a great place for fun activities!
Fishing and Recreation
The lake is known for its good fishing. You can catch fish like largemouth bass and different kinds of catfish here. Lake Corpus Christi State Park is located on the lake's shores. It offers places for camping and picnicking. There are also two piers where people can go fishing.
Camps for Kids
- Camp Karankawa: This is a Boy Scout camp run by the South Texas Council. It opened in 1944. The camp covers 130 acres right on the lake. It's leased from Lake Corpus Christi State Park for 99 years.
- Camp Green Hill: This is a Girl Scout camp. It's located on 50 acres by the lake and is run by the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas.
Animals and Plants in Lake Corpus Christi
Lake Corpus Christi is home to many different kinds of fish and plants. Some fish species have been added to the lake to make fishing even better for visitors.
Fish Species
You can find many types of fish swimming in the lake, including:
Plant Life
The lake also has various types of plant life, such as:
- Water stargrass
- Water lettuce
- Water hyacinth
- American pondweed
- Coontail
- Rushes
- Cattail
Other Animals
Besides fish, the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) also lives in Lake Corpus Christi.
