This month we celebrate Lake Conroe! October marks the month that a very wet forecast filled the lake—in less than nine months—back in 1973.
The primary focus of Lake Conroe has always been and will continue to be water supply. This objective was the basis of a partnership agreement the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) reached with the City of Houston and the Texas Water Development Board in 1968 to jointly construct a water supply reservoir, Lake Conroe, on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. The dam constructed to impound the waters of the reservoir was completed in January 1973, and it was filled by October 31, 1973. The lake covers a 21,000-acre area and extends about 21 miles from the dam to the upper reaches of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, with 5,000 acres lying in the Sam Houston National Forest. The lake can store up to 430,000 acre-feet of water at the normal pool elevation of 201 feet above mean sea level. That’s enough water to fill the Astrodome more than 400 times!
Besides providing a potential source of water supply for the City of Houston, Lake Conroe began in September 2015, to supplement groundwater sources in Montgomery County as a source of drinking water. To help keep up with the Using treated surface water from Lake Conroe provides a more diversified approach to supplying water needs for Montgomery County.
In September 2009, following years of negotiations, the SJRA completed a contract with the City of Houston to purchase the right to use the City’s 2/3 share of the water supplies in Lake Conroe. This important acquisition secured all of the permitted water in Lake Conroe for use in Montgomery County..
In addition to water supply, Lake Conroe serves as a way to enhance and strengthen the ecosystem of our area. The lake has attracted many types of wildlife, especially with the Sam Houston National Forest bordering the lake to the north. Another form of ecosystem management is native aquatic plants. SJRA, in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife, maintains a native plant nursery on SJRA’s property. The two groups go out several times per year to plant these native plants on the shoreline of the lake. The native plants help minimize shoreline erosion, help create fish habitat, and help to minimize invasive plants in the lake.
Lake Conroe is also one of the great recreational destinations of Texas. From swimming, to kayaking, to boating, to fishing, and more, Lake Conroe has an activity for everyone! The southern portion of the Lake is filled with marinas, restaurants, and more, making it a fantastic vacation destination. The northern portion of the lake is bordered by the national forest, making it perfect for those who want a more remote and nature-filled experience. The lake also has many residents who own boats and enjoy the lake on a weekly basis. SJRA and Precinct Constable 1 make every effort to ensure the safety of those enjoying recreation on the lake.
Whether your interest in Lake Conroe is due to its water supply, history, environment, or recreation, we want you to join us in wishing Lake Conroe a Happy 52nd Birthday this month! We hope everyone in the community gets the chance to visit Lake Conroe this month to remember how far it has come in 52 years! Follow along with us this month on social media to see throwback These videos highlight stories from people who have helped us on the journey of preserving and protecting Lake Conroe throughout history.
