Lake Nacogdoches is a reservoir located about 10 miles west of the city of Nacogdoches, Texas, above Loco Bayou dam. [1] Loco Bayou is a tributary of the Angelina River, part of the Neches River basin. [2]
The Loco Bayou, which created Lake Nacogdoches, was constructed and completed by Freese & Nichols from the mid-1970s to 1977. [3] [2] It is an earthen dam constructed for municipal water supply, yet its primary purpose was recreational. [2] [4] Currently, the Lake is operated and owned by the City of Nacogdoches.
Debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia, which had disintegrated during re-entry in 2003, was found in the lake during a 2011 drought. [5]
The lake was impounded in 1976, has a surface area of 2,212 acres, and a maximum depth of 40 feet. [1] Currently, the lake quality has a moderately clear clarity value. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the lake's capacity at a normal level is 42,318 acre-feet and a maximum value of 122,000 acre-feet. [2]
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the aquatic flora found in the lake are mainly Hydrilla and the American lotus. [1]
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the main fish species occupying Nacogdoches Lake are largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. [1]
Presently, Lake Nacogdoches is used primarily for game fishing.