Balmorhea Lake
Encyclopedia
Balmorhea Lake is a reservoir
on Sandia Creek 2 miles (3 km) southeast of downtown Balmorhea
, Texas
. Water from Toyah Creek
, fed by the nearby San Solomon Springs
, is also fed into the reservoir, as is excess water in the Phantom Lake Canal. The reservoir was built in 1917 by the construction of a dam by the Reeves County Water Improvement District. The reservoir provides water for irrigation
, and is a popular recreational spot for locals.
Balmorhea Lake is also known as Lower Parks Reservoir.
, crappie
, catfish
, and largemouth bass
.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on Sandia Creek 2 miles (3 km) southeast of downtown Balmorhea
Balmorhea, Texas
Balmorhea is a city in Reeves County, Texas, United States. The population was 527 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Balmorhea is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Water from Toyah Creek
Toyah Creek
-References:**USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Texas...
, fed by the nearby San Solomon Springs
San Solomon Springs
San Solomon Springs is a collection of artesian springs located near the small towns of Toyahvale and Balmorhea in Reeves County, Texas. Between 20 million and 28 million US gallons of water a day flow from the springs, supplying water for a 1.75-acre swimming hole before flowing through a...
, is also fed into the reservoir, as is excess water in the Phantom Lake Canal. The reservoir was built in 1917 by the construction of a dam by the Reeves County Water Improvement District. The reservoir provides water for irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
, and is a popular recreational spot for locals.
Balmorhea Lake is also known as Lower Parks Reservoir.
Fish and plant life
Balmorhea Lake has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Balmorhea Lake include sunfishLepomis
Lepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, and largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
.