geo.wikisort.org - Reservoir

Lake Gonzales is a reservoir on the Guadalupe River 4 miles (6 km) southeast of the town of Belmont in Gonzales County, Texas. The reservoir was formed in 1931 by the construction of a dam to provide hydroelectric power to the area. Management of the dam and lake was assumed by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority on May 1, 1963.

Lake Gonzales
Lake Gonzales Show map of Texas Lake Gonzales Show map of the United States
Location	Gonzales County, Texas
Coordinates	29°30.08′N 97°37.90′W
Type	Hydroelectric reservoir
Primary inflows	Guadalupe River
Primary outflows	Guadalupe River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	696 acres (282 ha)
Water volume	7,500 acre⋅ft (9,300,000 m3)
Surface elevation	333 ft (101 m)

Lake Gonzales is also known locally as H-4 Reservoir or Guadalupe Reservoir H-4.

On August 3, 2021, the hydroelectric dam at Lake Gonzales in Gonzales County experienced a spillgate failure during normal operation. As a result, the lake lost 12 feet of water, leaving what were formerly waterfront homes and lakeside docks dry.

It remains unknown how the dam might be repaired, or if it can be repaired.[1]

Until the spillway failure, Lake Gonzales was maintained at a constant level year round, and provided a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, swimming, camping and picnicking.

Fish and plant life

Lake Gonzales has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Lake Gonzales include catfish, white crappie, sunfish, sunfish, and largemouth bass. Vegetation in the lake includes cattail, pondweed, American lotus, spatterdock, rushes, water hyacinth, water lettuce, and hydrilla. The water hyacinth, lettuce and hydrilla are invasive species that have caused problems previously, although nowadays the issues are minimal.[2]

Recreational uses

Although there are no public parks on the shore of Lake Gonzales, a public access boat ramp is accessible from U.S. Highway 90A.

References

External links

• Lake Gonzales (H4) - Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
• Lake Gonzales - Texas Parks & Wildlife
• Lake Gonzales - Handbook of Texas Online

---