Lake Conroe
Division – Located at the Lake Conroe Dam, seven miles west of the City
of Conroe, the Lake Conroe Division’s primary function is the operation and
maintenance of the dam, spillway structure, and service outlet at Lake Conroe.
In addition, this Division handles inspection and enforcement functions related
to water quality, including permitting and monitoring of on-site sewage systems
around Lake Conroe. To maintain the safety of Lake Conroe for navigation and
recreation, and to manage the construction of permanent structures on the lake,
the Lake Conroe Division also administers boating safety and navigation hazard
marking, removal, and enforcement programs, as well as permit programs for
residential docks, piers, marinas, commercial operations, and marine sanitation
facilities. Constructed by SJRA beginning in 1969, Lake Conroe was completed in
1973 as a water supply reservoir through a joint venture with the City of
Houston, which owns two-thirds of the water rights in the reservoir.
Lake Conroe Habitat Improvement Project Coalition wins
the Texas Environmental Excellence Award in the Civic/Community Category.
TCEQ
- Press Release. Photo by Bob Daemmrich
A
Conroe multi-organizational coalition is being recognized with
the state's highest environmental honor, the 2013 Texas
Environmental Excellence Award in the Civic/Community category.
Lake Conroe Habitat Improvement Project Coalition will be one of
10 winners honored by the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality, at its annual banquet, to be held in Austin, May 1.
Formed in 2006, the coalition, which
includes public and private organizations, local businesses,
community residents, and government, began looking for a more
holistic approach to not just invasive control but a balanced
aquatic ecosystem. The group teamed up to manage invasive
species while simultaneously expanding biodiversity through
native plant introduction.
To control an early infestation of water
hydrilla, a problem since the 1980's, more than 250,000 grass
carp were introduced. While the carp caused total removal of
hydrilla, they also greatly reduced native vegetation. Natural
die-off of the carp eventually led to reinfestation of invasive
plants. Organizers, including individual members of angler
associations, worked to build consensus in the community for
restoration projects. Anglers with local fishing clubs, as well
as conservation groups became some of the biggest proponents of
restoration efforts at Lake Conroe.
Since 2010, the groups have restored five
miles of shoreline at Lake Conroe through the addition of native
plant colonies, contributing to an increase of fish and wildlife
along the shoreline. Reefs designed to attract fish, which also
prove to be fishing hot spots for anglers, have also been
constructed to enhance current habitats and help stimulate
higher fish production.
