Type Water supply reservoir Primary outflows Navidad River Surface area 9,727 acres (3,936 ha) Area 39.36 km² Outflow location Navidad River Cities Edna | Primary inflows Basin countries United States Max. depth 58 ft (18 m) Surface elevation 13 m Inflow source Navidad River | |
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Lake Texana is a reservoir on the Navidad River, 8 miles (13 km) east of Edna, in Jackson County, Texas. The reservoir is formed by the construction of Palmetto Bend Dam. The dam and lake are managed by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, and supply water to surrounding communities and industries. Lake Texana is the only reservoir managed by the Authority.
Contents
Map of Lake Texana, Texas 77971, USA
Fish and plant populationsEdit
Lake Texana has been stocked with fish intended to encourage recreational fishing. Fish present in Lake Texana include catfish, largemouth bass, white crappie, white bass, hybrid striped bass, and sunfish. A variety of native plant species thrive in the lake, including, coontail, spikerush, cattail, pondweed, bull's tongue, pickerel weed, and duckweed. Three exotic, invasive species exist in the lake: water hyacinth, hydrilla and giant salvinia. The giant salvinia is presently limited to the Sandy Creek arm of the reservoir.
HistoryEdit
Palmetto Bend Dam was begun in 1968 and completed in 1980 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation at a cost of approximately $92 million. The resulting reservoir covered the ghost town of Texana, which had been founded in 1832 near the junction of the Navidad and Lavaca rivers.
A bill to convey to Texas ownership of the dam and reservoir project was introduced by Congressman Ron Paul on August 2, 1999. After paying the "adjusted net present value of current repayment obligations" (an amount approximated to be $45 million in September 2000), Texas assumed responsibility for all aspects of operation, maintenance, and replacement of the dam and reservoir, a responsibility transferred to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority.