Falcon International Reservoir

infobox_lake
lake_name = Falcon International Reservoir
image_lake =
type = Hydroelectric reservoir
caption_lake =
location = 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Laredo, Texas
basin_countries= United States, Mexico
coords = coord|26|35.06|N|99|9.56|W|region:MX/US-TX_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
inflow = Rio Grande
outflow = Rio Grande
area = 83,654 acres (338.5 km²)
depth =
max-depth = 110 ft (33.5 m)
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.

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.

Recreational uses

Falcon State Park features facilities for camping, picknicking, fishing, boating, and hiking.

External links

* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/falcon/ Falcon International Reservoir - Texas Parks & Wildlife]
* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/falcon/ Falcon State Park - Texas Parks & Wildlife]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/II/roi2.html Falcon International Reservoir] - Handbook of Texas Online