'Amistad Reservoir' is a
reservoir on the
Rio Grande at its confluence with the
Devils River 12 miles (19 km) northwest of
Del Rio,
Texas,
USA. The lake is bounded by
Val Verde County on the Texas side of the international border, and the state of
Coahuila on the Mexican side of the border. The reservoir was formed in November, 1969 by the construction of
Amistad Dam to provide
flood control, water conservation,
irrigation,
hydroelectric power, and recreation to the area. The dam and lake are managed jointly by the governments of the United States and Mexico through the
International Boundary and Water Commission. The name of the dam and lake is the
Spanish word for "friendship".
Fish and plant life
Amistad Reservoir is filled with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Amistad Reservoir include
largemouth bass,
smallmouth bass,
Guadalupe bass, and
catfish.
Recreational uses
Amistad National Recreation Area includes the land area around the Amistad Reservoir on the Texas side of the lake. The lake provides year-round, water-based recreation opportunities, including
boating,
fishing,
swimming,
scuba diving and
water-skiing, as well as other recreational opportunities for picnicking,
camping, and
hunting. The area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life.
External links
★
Amistad Reservoir - Texas Parks & Wildlife
★
Amistad National Recreation Area - National Park Service
★
Amistad Reservoir - Handbook of Texas Online