Lake Texana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Texana |
|
|---|---|
 Lake Texana
Location in Texas
Lake Texana
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Jackson County, east of Edna, Texas |
| Coordinates | 28°54′37″N 96°33′14″W / 28.9103105°N 96.5539010°W |
| Type | Water supply reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Navidad River |
| Primary outflows | Navidad River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 9,727 acres (3,936 ha) |
| Max. depth | 58 ft (18 m) |
| Water volume | 170,000 acre⋅ft (0.21 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 44 ft (13 m) |
Lake Texana is a large lake built by people, called a reservoir. It's located on the Navidad River, about 8 miles (13 km) east of a town called Edna, Texas in Jackson County, Texas. This lake was made when the Palmetto Bend Dam was built.
The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority takes care of the dam and the lake. They make sure the lake provides water for nearby towns and businesses. Lake Texana is the only reservoir this Authority manages.
Contents
Animals and Plants of Lake Texana
Lake Texana is a great place for fishing! Many types of fish have been added to the lake to make it fun for people who like to fish.
Fish Species
You can find several kinds of fish here, including:
- Catfish
- Largemouth bass
- White crappie
- White bass
- Hybrid striped bass
- Sunfish
Plant Life
The lake is also home to many native plants that grow naturally. These include:
Invasive Species
Unfortunately, there are also three types of plants that are not native to the lake and can cause problems. These are called invasive species:
- Water hyacinth
- Hydrilla
- Giant salvinia
The giant salvinia is currently only found in one part of the lake, called the Sandy Creek arm. Besides plants and fish, you might also spot American alligators in Lake Texana!
Building Lake Texana
The Palmetto Bend Dam was a big project that started in 1968. It was finished in 1980 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The dam cost about $92 million to build.
The Town Under the Lake
When the reservoir was created, it covered an old town called Texana, Texas. This town was founded way back in 1832 near where the Navidad River and Lavaca River meet.
Ownership and Management
In 1999, a special law was suggested by Congressman Ron Paul. This law would allow the state of Texas to take over ownership of the dam and the lake project.
After Texas paid about $45 million in 2000, the state took full responsibility for running and maintaining the dam and reservoir. This job was then given to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, who still manage it today.
- Lake Texana from the Handbook of Texas Online
