Sheldon Lake
Encyclopedia
Sheldon Reservoir is a reservoir
on Carpenters Bayou
in the San Jacinto River basin, 16 miles (26 km) east of downtown Houston
, Texas
. The reservoir was created in 1943 when the federal government built a dam to provide fresh water for shipbuilding and shipping industries on the Houston Ship Channel
during World War II
. After the war, management of the reservoir was assumed by the City of Houston. In 1952, after the construction of the dam that creates Lake Houston
, the city sold the reservoir to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
for use as a waterfowl sanctuary and public fishing site. In 1984, land around the reservoir was designated the Sheldon State Wildlife Management Area.
Sheldon Reservoir is also known as Sheldon Lake.
, largemouth bass
, crappie
, bluegill
, and sunfish
.
and fishing
are both popular recreational uses of the park. SLSP has four distinct habitats: bottomland woods; restored coastal prairie; open water and marsh of the lake; and cypress swamp. These habitats are a microcosm of those found on the Upper Texas Coast. Friends of Sheldon Lake SP conduct monthly "Walks with Nature" on the third Saturday of each month from September through May.
A five-year bird census of the park was completed in July, 2006. Nearly four dozen additional bird species were added to the park's checklist. The newly revised SLSP bird checklist features 249 bird species. Each spring over 200 bird species are possible. Texas' largest inland waterbird colony can be found on 29+ spoil islands. The nonstop sight and sounds of this colony is best viewed from along the west levee. This colony is growing and now hosts over 2,200 heron, egret, Roseate spoonbill, Anhinga, Neotropic cormorant and ibis nests each year. Purple gallinule and least bittern also breed on the lake. Also in spring, over 22 neotropic migrant species are reported.
Winter is the next best birding season at SLSP. Over 160 bird species are possible here in winter. Annual winter bird counts find 90+ species of wintering birds on the park in a day. Some winter specialties include Ash-throated and Vermillion Flycatchers, Fish Crow, Le Conte's and Grasshopper Sparrows. Also American Bittern, Canvasback and Ross's Goose. A Great Kiskadee over-wintered in 2005-06.
Visit Friends of Sheldon Lake SP for an updated checklist and tips for birding SLSP.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on Carpenters Bayou
Carpenters Bayou
Carpenters Bayou rises at the south end of Sheldon Reservoir in southeastern Harris County , Texas, USA, and runs southeast for about twelve miles until it joins Buffalo Bayou at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site ....
in the San Jacinto River basin, 16 miles (26 km) east of downtown Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The reservoir was created in 1943 when the federal government built a dam to provide fresh water for shipbuilding and shipping industries on the Houston Ship Channel
Houston Ship Channel
The Houston Ship Channel, located in Houston, Texas, is part of the Port of Houston—one of the United States's busiest seaports. The channel is the conduit for ocean-going vessels between the Houston-area shipyards and the Gulf of Mexico.-Overview:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, management of the reservoir was assumed by the City of Houston. In 1952, after the construction of the dam that creates Lake Houston
Lake Houston
Lake Houston is a reservoir on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, 15 miles northeast of downtown Houston, Texas, USA. The reservoir is the secondary municipal water supply for the city of Houston after Lake Livingston....
, the city sold the reservoir to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas...
for use as a waterfowl sanctuary and public fishing site. In 1984, land around the reservoir was designated the Sheldon State Wildlife Management Area.
Sheldon Reservoir is also known as Sheldon Lake.
Fish and plant populations
Sheldon Reservoir has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in Sheldon Reservoir include catfishCatfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, and sunfish
Lepomis
Lepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
.
Recreational uses
BirdwatchingBirdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
are both popular recreational uses of the park. SLSP has four distinct habitats: bottomland woods; restored coastal prairie; open water and marsh of the lake; and cypress swamp. These habitats are a microcosm of those found on the Upper Texas Coast. Friends of Sheldon Lake SP conduct monthly "Walks with Nature" on the third Saturday of each month from September through May.
A five-year bird census of the park was completed in July, 2006. Nearly four dozen additional bird species were added to the park's checklist. The newly revised SLSP bird checklist features 249 bird species. Each spring over 200 bird species are possible. Texas' largest inland waterbird colony can be found on 29+ spoil islands. The nonstop sight and sounds of this colony is best viewed from along the west levee. This colony is growing and now hosts over 2,200 heron, egret, Roseate spoonbill, Anhinga, Neotropic cormorant and ibis nests each year. Purple gallinule and least bittern also breed on the lake. Also in spring, over 22 neotropic migrant species are reported.
Winter is the next best birding season at SLSP. Over 160 bird species are possible here in winter. Annual winter bird counts find 90+ species of wintering birds on the park in a day. Some winter specialties include Ash-throated and Vermillion Flycatchers, Fish Crow, Le Conte's and Grasshopper Sparrows. Also American Bittern, Canvasback and Ross's Goose. A Great Kiskadee over-wintered in 2005-06.
Visit Friends of Sheldon Lake SP for an updated checklist and tips for birding SLSP.