Toledo Bend Reservoir

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Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend Dam
Location	Texas, Louisiana
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Sabine River
Primary outflows	Sabine River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	185,000 acres (749 km²)

Toledo Bend Reservoir is a large artificial lake on the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana. Construction on the Toledo Bend Dam began on May 11, 1964, and water impoundment began on October 3, 1966. The lake has an area of 185,000 acres (749 km²), the largest man-made body of water in (or partially in) Texas, the largest in the South, and the fifth largest in the United States.^[1] The dam is capable of generating 92 megawatts of electrical power.

The reservoir is a popular location for freshwater fishing.

[edit] Historical development

The land along the Orange area often flooded from the Sabine, with destructive effects. Also, the considerations for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational purposes were part of the reasons the Texas State Legislature formed the Sabine River Authority of Texas in 1949, and in 1950 the Louisiana State Legislature created the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana for the project.^[2] With both authorities in agreement, in 1955 a feasibility report was initiated and by 1959, the two states allocated 30 million dollars for the project. The land was acquired in 1963, with the work following the subsequent year. The Massman-Johnson Construction Company served as the general contractor, and by the project’s completion in 1969, Texas’ estimated share of the funds was 70 million.^[3] The dam was built by the two states, without any assistance from the federal government.^[4]