Lake Leon is located in Eastland County and was created by the State Board of Water Engineers by impounding the Leon River.[1] In reference to Abilene, Texas with a population of around 125,000, it is 68 miles (109 kilometers) east, and in reference to Eastland, Texas with a population of around 4,000, it is 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast.[1][2][3] Lake Leon is found in the Brazos River and in the Cross Timbers ecoregion, more specifically the Cross Timbers Grand Prairie ecoregion.[4][5]
Hydrology
editThe river which filled Lake Leon is called the Leon River which also serves as its namesake, but the drainage area is over 250 square miles (650 square kilometers).[1][4] The surface area is 736 acres (298 hectares), a maximum depth of 55 feet (17 meters), an elevation above sea level of 1,382 feet (421 meters), and a capacity of 28,042 acre-feet.[1][4] Aside from decreasing water levels due to hot, dry summer months, the water level is not susceptible to fluctuation.[1] According to the Eastland County Water Supply District, the turbidity varies from visibility to 4 feet (1.2 meters) to slightly stained.[1]
History
editOn July 8, 1952, the State Board of Water Engineers permitted the creation of Lake Leon.[4] On January 13, 1953, the dam started construction, and the dam was efficiently blocking the waterway by April 1954.[4] In June 1954, the dam was finished.[4] Eastland County Water Supply District still uses Lake Leon both municipally and industrially as a water sources.[4]
Recreation
editFishing
editIn 1975, Florida largemouth bass entered Lake Leon, and since then the reservoir has become recognized for largemouth bass tournament fishing.[1] Lake Leon also has channel catfish, sunfish, and white bass.[1] There are no fishing regulations specific to Lake Leon, so statewide regulations are all applicable.[1]
| Species | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | X | |||
| Catfish | X | |||
| Crappie | X | |||
| White bass | X | |||
| Sunfish | X |
Boating
editLake Leon does provide a boat dock for those that wish to use their boats recreationally.[1]
Wildlife
editFauna
editThe most populous fish are:[1]
Flora
editThe most populous hydrophilic vegetations are:[1]
- floating-leaf pondweed
- bulrush
- water willow
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Fishing Leon Reservoir". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "2020 Census is Complete". Abilene Chamber of Commerce. 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
- ^ "archive.ph". archive.ph. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lake Leon (Brazos River Basin) | Texas Water Development Board". www.twdb.texas.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ US EPA, ORD (2016-03-09). "Ecoregion Download Files by State - Region 6". www.epa.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-30.