Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in Texas by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 68 articles we have published for Texas lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US Southwest Region > Texas > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in Texas, only the 68 Texas lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name | Elevation in feet | Lake description |
---|---|---|
Calaveras Lake, TX (South Texas Plains Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
491 ft | Also known as Calaveras Reservoir Created in 1969 to be a power plant cooling pond, Calaveras Reservoir has developed into one of Texas’ premiere bass lakes. The manmade jewel is 20 mi … |
Bardwell Lake, TX (Prairies and Lakes Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
439 ft | Also known as Lake Bardwell Bardwell Lake is a vast, sparkling palate of wet and wild opportunity near Ennis, Texas, not far from the hustle and bustle of Dallas-Fort Worth. The … |
Lake Fork, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
407 ft | Also known as Lake Fork Reservoir Lake Fork (also called Lake Fork Reservoir) covers an impressive 27,264 acres in northeast Texas, on the border of the Piney Woods and Prairies and La … |
Lake Palestine, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Prairies and Lakes Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
364 ft | Just 10 miles from Tyler, Texas (the Rose Capital of World) is Lake Palestine, a water playground dedicated to recreation, water conservation, and wil … |
Cedar Creek Lake, TX (Prairies and Lakes Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
323 ft | Also known as Cedar Creek Reservoir Cedar Creek Lake (also known as Cedar Creek Reservoir) is located an hour southeast of Dallas in the Prairie and Lakes region of Texas. Created in 196 … |
Richland Chambers Lake, TX (Prairies and Lakes Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
317 ft | Also known as Richland Chambers Reservoir Richland Chambers Lake (also called Richland Chambers Reservoir) was created between 1982 to 1987, making it the youngest lake in Texas. The Texas leg … |
Falcon Lake, TX / Mexico (Mexico, North Mexico, South Texas Plains Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
314 ft | Also known as Falcon International Reservoir WARNING – Fall 2010: Texas officials warn Americans visiting and boating on Falcon Lake to stay within USA waters and avoid the international boundary … |
Lake Nacogdoches (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
279 ft | Also known as Nacogdoches Lake, Lake Nac, Nacogdoches Reservoir Lake Nacogdoches, located in the Piney Woods region of Texas, is known for excellent fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, and all types of water sports … |
Choke Canyon Lake, TX (South Texas Plains Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
241 ft | Also known as Choke Canyon Reservoir Located 65 miles south of San Antonio, Choke Canyon Lake was impounded in 1982 to supply drinking water to Corpus Christi on the Gulf Coast of Texas. … |
Lake Conroe, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
207 ft | Houstonians often enjoy weekend getaways at Lake Conroe, a beautiful manmade lake in the Piney Woods region of eastern Texas. Lake Conroe is home to n … |
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
175 ft | Also known as Lake Sam Rayburn, McGee Bend Reservoir Sam Rayburn Reservoir, lovingly called “Big Sam”, and formerly known as McGee Bend Reservoir, is the largest lake which lies completely within Texas. … |
Caddo Lake, LA/TX (Louisiana, Piney Woods Region, TX, Sportsman's Paradise Region, LA, Texas, US South Region, US Southwest Region, USA) |
170 ft | Caddo Lake covers an impressive 26,800 acres and straddles the border of Texas and Louisiana. The lake is a maze of interconnected waterways, heavily … |