Points of Interest
ABOUT THE LAKE:
Lake Palestine is a man-made, fresh water conservation reservoir (as opposed to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control lake), being under the authority of, and operated by the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority ("UNRMWA"). The Authority exists under the guidance and cooperative funding efforts of several local Counties and Cities in the immediate area that touch the Lake (...the Cities of Tyler & Palestine being the largest - among others). The State of Texas has oversight authority over these local governments' efforts. Click below to learn more:
HOW BIG IS IT?
This is a very frequently asked question. UNRMWA reports the nominal lake surface size to be 25,500 acres - the 7th largest fresh water reservoir lake located completely inside the boundaries of Texas. It reaches appx 16 miles in length from its furthest point north near Chandler, TX to its furthest point south at the Blackburn Crossing Dam. (...Big enough for a lil'-ol' Texas fishing lake, huh?) The Neches River makes up the Lake's central channel, and is the county boundary between four (4) counties: Anderson and Henderson Counties to the west, and Smith and Cherokee Counties to the east. In comparison, Cedar Creek lake, located on the Trinity River watershed, is reported as 36,000+ acres; and Sam Rayburn Reservoir, located on the Angelina River watershed, is reported as 50,000+ acres. Lake Fork, located to the northwest on the Sabine River watershed, is reported as 27,700 acres.
This is a very frequently asked question. UNRMWA reports the nominal lake surface size to be 25,500 acres - the 7th largest fresh water reservoir lake located completely inside the boundaries of Texas. It reaches appx 16 miles in length from its furthest point north near Chandler, TX to its furthest point south at the Blackburn Crossing Dam. (...Big enough for a lil'-ol' Texas fishing lake, huh?) The Neches River makes up the Lake's central channel, and is the county boundary between four (4) counties: Anderson and Henderson Counties to the west, and Smith and Cherokee Counties to the east. In comparison, Cedar Creek lake, located on the Trinity River watershed, is reported as 36,000+ acres; and Sam Rayburn Reservoir, located on the Angelina River watershed, is reported as 50,000+ acres. Lake Fork, located to the northwest on the Sabine River watershed, is reported as 27,700 acres.
LAKE LEVELS:
Of course, the lake level is very dependent on the amount of rainfall received over the up-stream watershed; so, we are always hoping for more rain. (...in-spite of the dampening effect it has on our Lakehouse fun!) The closest NOAA weather observation station to the lake is at Pounds Field Airport (Tyler's municipal airfield) located on US Hwy 64 appx 3 miles N.N.E. of the Lake. NOAA keeps very comprehensive records for that location. Using that information, we've developed the following way of looking at where we stand on our annual rainfall to-date:
Click image to enlarge.
The UNRMWA's mission (as given to them by the Texas State Legislature) is to capture fresh surface water for municipal and agricultural consumption. They are NOT focused on flood control or recreation (much to the dismay of our boating & water sports friends). As such, the lake doesn't have any large, floodgate mechanisms built into its structure at Blackburn Crossing Dam to hold-back flood waters, or for the large-scale controlled release of water. Nor is there any control of water hazards or limitations on reduced lake levels during times of drought. The Lake only has a simple overflow spillway, plus one (1) small drainpipe to allow a controlled flow of water under the dam and downstream. "Normal Pool" level is determined by the elevation of the spillway at the dam. When the lake fills to capacity, it overflows the spillway immediately - which is why it is considered to be somewhat of a "constant-level" lake, and why all of the recreational boat docks are built on fixed-elevation (non-floating) structures. As the term is applied (loosely) to Lake Palestine, "constant level" means the Lake level varies by only a small amount each year; ...normally less than 10 feet from high point to low point in any given year; ...6 feet is typical; and, the level does not exceed the spillway elevation (by much).
Currently, UNRMWA's largest commercial users of water include the Cities of Tyler and Palestine (municipal fresh water treatment and consumption), Emerald Bay Club (irrigation for the golf course), and a pine tree sapling farm (agricultural irrigation) located near the Dam. There are also a small number of agricultural interests downstream from the Dam that have a claim to the water as well.
As of 2018, a tract of property has been purchased immediately adjacent to the Dam (west end) by Tarrant County Regional Water District (TRWD). They have future plans to install a very large water intake pump to supply raw, fresh water to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex (for treatment and municipal consumption). The 'Integrated Pipeline Project' is currently under construction to extend a very large in-take pipeline to Lake Palestine. For more information, click here.
When the lake experiences periods of drought, i.e. when consumption is high with little or no off-setting rainfall, the UNRMWA has no rules in-place to enforce reduced consumption in an effort to avoid closure of private or commercial boat ramps, nor the reduction in access for the recreational public caused by low water levels. Those of us who enjoy the Lake for its recreational value, do so at our own risk.
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The watershed area of the Lake is actually quite small - covering an area smaller than an average county in Texas. The graphic on the left shows the approximate boundaries of the watershed - superimposed on top of a Google Earth aerial photo. The most meaningful area for rainfall is to the north and west of the Lake.
Click image to enlarge.
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The U.S. Geological Survey (or "USGS"), in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board, hosts a terrific website where Lake Palestine's water level is reported and posted graphically every 15 minutes. (Lake levels are important to Fishermen - Don't-you-know!) Click below for up-to-the-minute details:
Using information from the USGS website, the following graph illustrates what the Lake's level has done since Jan 1, 2000. Note some of the more interesting points & patterns have been notated:
Click image to enlarge.
THE FISHERY:
It is interesting to note that Lake Athens - home of the Florida strain Black Bass in Texas - is impounded inside the watershed, and upstream of the Flat Creek arm of Lake Palestine. This freshwater species of Bass is sometimes called "Largemouth" Bass, and are highly sought-after by sports fishermen from across North America. As such, Lake Palestine hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year, with multiple such events each week during the spawning seasons of late winter to mid spring. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") owns and operates a very modern fish hatchery located on Lake Athens that is dedicated to the Florida and Northern strains of the species. Being TPWD's main-event facility focused on public awareness and education, they operate a terrific visitor's center that is open to the public and very "family friendly". Family activities include several live diorama aquariums representing many of the aquatic environments in Texas, an underwater diver's show, and a guided tram-tour of the 107 acre facility. Located only 45 minutes from the Lakehouse, you might want to plan a family Saturday outing to go see it. Check it out here:
It is interesting to note that Lake Athens - home of the Florida strain Black Bass in Texas - is impounded inside the watershed, and upstream of the Flat Creek arm of Lake Palestine. This freshwater species of Bass is sometimes called "Largemouth" Bass, and are highly sought-after by sports fishermen from across North America. As such, Lake Palestine hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year, with multiple such events each week during the spawning seasons of late winter to mid spring. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ("TPWD") owns and operates a very modern fish hatchery located on Lake Athens that is dedicated to the Florida and Northern strains of the species. Being TPWD's main-event facility focused on public awareness and education, they operate a terrific visitor's center that is open to the public and very "family friendly". Family activities include several live diorama aquariums representing many of the aquatic environments in Texas, an underwater diver's show, and a guided tram-tour of the 107 acre facility. Located only 45 minutes from the Lakehouse, you might want to plan a family Saturday outing to go see it. Check it out here:
