Falcon International Reservoir
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| Falcon International Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| Location | 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Laredo, Texas |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | Hydroelectric reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Rio Grande |
| Primary outflows | Rio Grande |
| Basin countries | United States, Mexico |
| Surface area | 83,654 acres (338.5 km²) |
| Max. depth | 110 ft (33.5 m) |
| Surface elevation | 301 ft (92 m) |
Falcon International Reservoir is a reservoir on the Rio Grande 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Laredo, Texas, USA, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The huge lake is bounded by Starr and Zapata counties on the Texas side of the international border, and the county and city of Nuevo Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas, on the Mexican side of the border. The reservoir was formed by the construction of a dam to provide water conservation, irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectricity to the area. The dam was dedicated by Mexican President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower in October, 1953. The dam and lake are managed jointly by governments of the United States and Mexico through the International Boundary and Water Commission. The lake is named after María Rita de la Garza Falcón, for whom the town of Falcon (displaced by the creation of the reservoir) was named.
[edit] Fish and plant life
Falcon International Reservoir has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in the reservoir include largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and channel bass.
[edit] Recreational uses
Falcon State Park features facilities for camping, picknicking, fishing, boating, and hiking.
