Somerville Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Somerville Lake |
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 Somerville Lake
Location in Texas
Somerville Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burleson / Washington / Lee counties, northwest of Brenham, Texas |
| Coordinates | 30°19′32″N 96°31′39″W / 30.32556°N 96.52750°W |
| Type | Flood control reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Yegua Creek |
| Primary outflows | Yegua Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 11,456 acres (4,636 ha) |
| Max. depth | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Water volume | 160,100 acre⋅ft (0.1975 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 85 mi (139 km) |
| Surface elevation | 238 ft (73 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Somerville Lake, also known as Lake Somerville, is a large lake in Texas, United States. It was created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which is a group that builds and manages many public works projects. The lake is a reservoir, which means it's an artificial lake used to store water.
Somerville Lake is located about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Brenham. It sits on Yegua Creek, which is part of the larger Brazos River system. The lake stretches across parts of Burleson, Washington, and Lee counties. The town of Somerville in Burleson County is right next to the lake.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the dam and the lake. The lake was officially filled with water in 1967. It helps control floods and provides water for irrigation (watering crops) to communities downstream. Somerville Lake is also a very popular spot for fun activities.
What Kind of Fish Live in Somerville Lake?
Somerville Lake is a great place for fishing! The lake has been "stocked" with fish. This means that young fish were added to the lake to make sure there are plenty for people to catch.
Some of the fish you can find here include:
- Largemouth bass
- Hybrid striped bass
- White bass
- Bluegill
- Catfish
- White crappie
- Black crappie
The area around the lake has wide-open grasslands and rolling hills. You'll also see forests with different kinds of trees. In some parts of the lake, especially at the upper end, there are still trees standing in the water.
Fun Things to Do at Somerville Lake
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not only takes care of the dam but also manages many places for people to enjoy the lake.
There are several parks around Somerville Lake:
- Rocky Creek Park and Yegua Creek Park are developed parks. They have facilities for visitors.
- Pecan Lake Park and McCain Park are undeveloped parks. These areas are more natural.
Two of the most popular activities at Somerville Lake are boating and fishing. Many people visit the lake to enjoy these outdoor adventures.
Images for kids
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A sandy beach area at Nails Creek Unit, Somerville Lake.
