Twin Buttes Reservoir Explained

Twin Buttes Reservoir
Location:Tom Green County, southwest of San Angelo, Texas
Coords:31.3769°N -100.5336°W
Type:Water supply reservoir
Inflow:Middle Concho River, South Concho River, Spring Creek
Outflow:Lake Nasworthy
Basin Countries:United States
Area:9080acres[1]
Max-Depth:46feet
Volume:186000acre.ft[2]
Elevation:1940feet
Cities:San Angelo, Texas
Pushpin Map:Texas#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Twin Buttes Reservoir in Texas, USA.

Twin Buttes Reservoir is an artificial lake located about 6miles southwest of the city of San Angelo, Texas, and immediately upstream from Lake Nasworthy. Construction on Twin Buttes Dam to form the reservoir was completed in 1963. The dam is an unusual one  - it dams the Middle and South Concho Rivers separately; a stabilization channel runs between the two sides of the lake. Water levels fell significantly during the 2010–13 Southern United States drought and remained low into 2014.[3]

Functions

Twin Buttes Reservoir was established to provide flood control, irrigation, water conservation, and a primary drinking water source for San Angelo and the surrounding communities in Tom Green County. The lake also serves as a recreational venue for fishing, boating, and swimming.[2] The dam and reservoir are owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation,[2] and are managed by the City of San Angelo.[1]

Design

The Twin Buttes Reservoir has two dams, one on the Middle Concho River and the South Concho River. The length of these two rolled earthfill embankments is approximately 42,000 ft with an elevation of just under 2,000 ft above sea level; however, the water level is an average of 1,985 ft above sea level.[4]

Fish populations

Twin Buttes Reservoir has been stocked with species of fish intended to improve the utility of the reservoir for recreational fishing. Fish present in the lake include largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, and crappie.[1]

Vegetation

Three invasive species of vegetation have taken over the land around the reservoir. Along the shoreline is dense saltceder and it grows thick with approximately 3,000 stems per acre. Willow baccharis and Mesquite both grow densely throughout the offshore areas.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Texas Parks and Wildlife (2009). "Twin Buttes Reservoir". Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  2. Handbook of Texas Online (1995). "Twin Buttes Reservoir". Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  3. News: Gaitan. Michelle. DAYBREAK BRIEFING: San Angelo's water report. 25 June 2014. San Angelo Standard-Times. 24 June 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140628104842/http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2014/jun/24/daybreak-briefing-san-angelos-water-report/. 28 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Twin Buttes Reservoir (Colorado River Basin) Texas Water Development Board. 2021-11-29. www.twdb.texas.gov.
  5. Web site: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Great Plains Region Oklahoma-Texas Area Office. April 2010. Twin Buttes Reservoir Ecosystem Restoration Project.