How did Texas get so many lakes?

The first dam in Texas was completed in 1893 along the Colorado River, creating Lake Austin. Within a couple of decades, that initial experiment would be repeated all over the state. Throughout the early decades of the 20th century, Texas constructed numerous dams to flood farmland and create lakes.



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Water School A permanent dam was installed at the lake in the early 20th century. A large number of the state's remaining lakes were made in response to the occasional propensity of Texas' usually tranquil rivers to flood during heavy rains.

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Most of the lakes in Texas are artificial and created by damming rivers and streams. Artificial lakes are typically reservoirs, and people create them by damming rivers or streams and flooding the surrounding floodplain.

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There are many natural lakes in Texas, though none is of great size. The largest designated natural lake touching the border of Texas is Sabine Lake, into which the Sabine and Neches rivers discharge. It is more properly a bay of the Gulf of Mexico.

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The truth is that Texas has hundreds of natural lakes, most of which are, unlike Caddo, of the little oxbow variety, remnants of rivers that have shifted course over time. (In the Rio Grande Valley, such lakes are known as resacas.)

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But did you know that the Lone Star State is also home to several crystal clear lakes? While Texas boasts numerous fishing sites, its clear swimming waters are gems the state prides itself on. Below, we list eight of the clearest lakes in Texas and where to find them.

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Natural lakes have been a rare commodity in Texas. In fact, the state had only one natural lake, Caddo Lake in East Texas, that was formed by a log jam. A permanent dam was installed at the lake in the early 20th century.

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Texas has some great lakes to live on throughout all regions of the state, including the DFW area in North Texas, Greater Houston, and the Highland Lakes chain on the Colorado River upstream of Austin. There's no shortage of premium Texas real estate near the water.

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The great news is, swimming in Texas lakes is just as safe as swimming in any natural body of water, taking into account the possible risks outlined above.

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Top 10 States with the Most Lakes
  • #1: Alaska Lakes (3,000,000) ...
  • #2: Wisconsin Lakes (15,000) ...
  • #3: Minnesota Lakes (11,842) ...
  • #4: Michigan Lakes (11,000) ...
  • #5: Washington Lakes (8,000) ...
  • #6: New York Lakes (7,600) ...
  • #7: Florida Lakes (7,500) ...
  • #8: Texas Lakes (6,700)


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Why are lakes brown in Texas? Yes, there is some pollution, and some bacteria, along our coast… but this is NOT the culprit behind the color. Many rivers and smaller waterways feed out into the Gulf of Mexico. As the fresh water flows south, it brings with it soil, sediment, and organic matter.

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Are there any states with no lakes? The only state in the US with no natural lakes is Maryland. Although Maryland has rivers and other freshwater ponds, no natural body of water is large enough to qualify as a lake.

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Beaches in Texas boast rich, turquoise waters and brilliant white sand. Texan beaches like Galveston and South Padre Island are major tourist hotspots and host all sorts of recreational activities like swimming and surfing. People looking for a quieter place to swim should visit Port Aransas.

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What about the other lakes in Texas? There are 187 man-made water supply reservoirs, which look an awful lot like natural lakes, larger than 5,000 acres in Texas, according to the Texas Water Development Board. A man-made lake is created when a dam is built on a creek or river channel, trapping the water behind it.

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