Mitchell Lake (San Antonio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitchell Lake |
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 Mitchell Lake
Location in Texas
Mitchell Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Antonio, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 29°16′15″N 98°29′16″W / 29.27083°N 98.48778°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 600 acres (2.4 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
Mitchell Lake is a cool lake in the southern part of San Antonio, Texas. It covers about 600 acres, which is like 450 football fields! For a long time, this lake helped manage the city's water. It was a place where water from the city was treated.
Now, Mitchell Lake is managed by the San Antonio Water System. People are working hard to make it a beautiful place. They are building golf courses and parks nearby. These efforts want to change how people see the lake. They want everyone to know it's a clean and fun place.
Mitchell Lake is especially loved by people who watch birds. Many different kinds of birds live on or around the lake. In 2004, the National Audubon Society started helping manage the lake. They work to protect the birds and their homes.
Contents
A Look Back: Mitchell Lake's History
Early Days: Spanish Explorers
Long, long ago, in the early 1700s, Spanish explorers used Mitchell Lake. They needed water for their many cattle. They even gave it a special name: "Lake of the Ducks." This was because so many ducks lived there!
The Mitchell Family and City Use
Later, in the 1800s, the Mitchell family owned the lake. They used it for hunting birds. In 1901, the city of San Antonio bought the lake. It was used to help manage the city's water.
Protecting the Lake and Birds
Even in the 1970s, people started working to protect the lake. They wanted to keep its rare birds safe. Today, these efforts continue. Mitchell Lake is becoming a wonderful natural area for everyone.
