Sheldon Reservoir

Infobox lake
lake_name = Sheldon Reservoir
image_lake =
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Harris County, Texas
coords = coord|29|52.22|N|95|10.37|W|type:waterbody_region:US-TX|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = Carpenters Bayou
outflow = Carpenters Bayou
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|1230|acre|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth = convert|10|ft|abbr=on
volume = convert|5354|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|47|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities =
frozen =

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.

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 catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish.

Recreational uses

Birdwatching 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. [http://www.foslsp.org/ 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 [http://foslsp.org/Birding_SLSP.php Friends of Sheldon Lake SP] for an updated checklist and tips for birding SLSP.

External links

* [http://www.foslsp.org/ Friends of Sheldon Lake SP]
* [http://foslsp.org/Getting_Here.php Directions and area map]
* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/texana/ Sheldon Lake - Texas Parks & Wildlife]
* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/sheldon_lake/ Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learining Center]
*