{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Lake Waco | image = USACE Waco Lake and Dam.jpg | caption = Aerial view of Lake Waco and dam (circa 1960s). | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Waco, Texas,<br>United States | coords = {{coord|31|35|01|N|97|12|02|W|type:waterbody_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}} | type = Reservoir | inflow = Bosque River | outflow = Bosque River | catchment = | basin_countries = United States | length = | width = | area = {{convert|8190|acres|km2|abbr=on}} Max<br>{{convert|7,712|acres|km2|abbr=on}} Average | max-depth = {{convert|85|feet|abbr=on}} | volume = | elevation = {{convert|462|feet|abbr=on}} | residence_time = | shore = | islands = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = Texas#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Waco in Texas, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = | reference = }} thumb|250px|right|Aerial photo of Lake Waco looking south. Waco Regional Airport in foreground. thumb|253x253px|Agarita, a shrub found near Lake Waco thumb|Wild Petunia thumb|Great Blue Heron thumb|American Beaver [[File:Lake Waco southern portion.jpg|thumb|250px|Southern half of Lake Waco with Twin Bridges (Texas State Highway 6) in view]]'''Lake Waco''' is a man-made reservoir located on the west side of Waco, in McLennan County, Texas. It provides water to several cities in the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, including Waco (pop. 135,858), Bellmead (pop. 9,901), Hewitt (pop. 13,368), Robinson (pop. 10,509), Woodway (pop. 8,452) and others in the Cross Timbers and Prairies ecoregion<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecological Region |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/habitats/cross_timbers/ecoregions/cross_timbers.phtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260117235111/https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/habitats/cross_timbers/ecoregions/cross_timbers.phtml |archive-date=17 January 2026 |access-date=17 January 2026 |website=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department}}</ref> of Texas. Lake Waco was formed by a dam built on the Bosque River basin. The lake has {{convert|79000|acre.ft}} of water and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

== History == Originally built in 1930 by Callahan Construction Company,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco Timeline|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeTimeline.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> the Lake Waco Dam was used to control flooding of the Bosque river and to provide the city of Waco with a consistent water source. Due to increasing flood threats and population growth, the Flood Control Act of 1954 allowed for construction of a modern earthen dam to replace the original structure. The new dam, finished in 1965 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco Timeline|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeTimeline.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> was {{convert|24,618|feet|m}} in length with a height of {{convert|140|feet}}, increasing the surface area of the lake to {{convert|8,190|acres}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco (Brazos River Basin) {{!}} Texas Water Development Board|url=https://www.twdb.texas.gov/surfacewater/rivers/reservoirs/waco/index.asp#:~:text=The%20new%20lake,%20completely%20submerging,dam%20is%201,670%20square%20miles.|access-date=2021-11-27|website=www.twdb.texas.gov}}</ref> While the original dam cost only $2.5 million to construct,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeWaco.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> the new dam would reach a cost of $53.4 million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco Timeline|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeTimeline.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> In 2003, the top of the conservation pool was raised by {{convert|7|feet}} to bring the water level to {{convert|462|feet}} above sea level.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco Timeline|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeTimeline.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref>

== Hydrology == Lake Waco was formed from the merging of the North and South Bosque River, each being the major tributaries of the larger Brazos River. The spillway of the dam again outflows into the Bosque river, before joining with the Brazos.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeWaco.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> The average surface area of Lake Waco is {{convert|7,712|acres|km2}},<ref>{{Cite web|title=Water Data For Texas|url=https://www.waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/waco|access-date=2021-11-27|website=www.waterdatafortexas.org}}</ref> surrounded by over {{convert|60|miles}} of shoreline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco, Texas, USA Vacation Info|url=http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-waco-131/|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Lakelubbers}}</ref> The average depth is around {{convert|20|feet}}, however the max depth extends to {{convert|85|feet}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco, Texas, USA Vacation Info|url=http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-waco-131/|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Lakelubbers}}</ref>

The average elevation of Lake Waco is held around {{convert|460|feet}} above sea level, with a typical fluctuation of {{convert|2|to|6|feet}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco, Texas, USA Vacation Info|url=http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-waco-131/|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Lakelubbers}}</ref> Prior to the construction of the new dam, droughts and floods were common occurrences for the city of Waco.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco Timeline|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeTimeline.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> However, the new dam has proven to be the proper solution, as there has not been any serious floods since its installation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waco History Project: Lake Waco|url=http://wacohistoryproject.org/Places/LakeWaco.htm|access-date=2021-11-27|website=wacohistoryproject.org}}</ref> However, a 2011 study<ref name=":0">Texas Water Development Board. Volumetric and Sedimentation Survey of Waco Lake, May 2011 Survey. Published 2012. {{Cite web |title=Volumetric and Sedimentation Survey of Waco Lake |url=https://www.twdb.texas.gov/hydro_survey/waco/2011-05/Waco2011_FinalReport.pdf}}</ref> from the Texas Water Development Board found that Lake Waco loses between {{convert|206|to|334|acre-feet}} of capacity every year due to sediment deposition.

=== Physicochemical characteristics === The large amount of sediment and nutrient deposition results in eutrophic lake conditions, with algae and smartweed being the primary competitors for nutrients.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conry|first=Thomas M.|date=2010-06-30|title=Lake Waco Comprehensive Study: Background and overview|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=26|issue=2|pages=74–79|doi=10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|bibcode=2010LRMan..26...74C |s2cid=85765142 |issn=1040-2381|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Bosque River as a whole is considered to have high nitrogen and phosphorus levels due to fertilizer runoff, and Lake Waco is no exception.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dawson|first1=Dan|last2=VanLandeghem|first2=Matthew M.|last3=Asquith|first3=William H.|last4=Patiño|first4=Reynaldo|date=2015-07-03|title=Long-term trends in reservoir water quality and quantity in two major river basins of the southern Great Plains|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10402381.2015.1074324|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=31|issue=3|pages=254–279|doi=10.1080/10402381.2015.1074324|doi-broken-date=July 12, 2025 |issn=1040-2381|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The average total phosphorus load to Lake Waco is 147,093&nbsp;kg/yr, while the total nitrogen load averages at 1,447,383&nbsp;kg/yr. However, the nutrient concentrations in the lake suggest that just over half of this is deposited in an unusable form.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wagner|first=Kenneth J.|date=2010-06-30|title=Loading of phosphorus and nitrogen to Lake Waco, Texas|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=26|issue=2|pages=123–146|doi=10.1080/07438141.2010.499095|bibcode=2010LRMan..26..123W |s2cid=84933248 |issn=1040-2381|doi-access=free}}</ref> The table below<ref>{{Cite journal |last=S.I. |first=Dworken |date=2003 |title=The hydrogeochemistry of the Lake Waco drainage basin, Texas |url=https://d3pcsg2wjq9izr.cloudfront.net/files/6063/articles/5006/0X0639RRKXC3V97K.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Environmental Geology |issue=45 |pages=108 |doi=10.1007/s00254-003-0862-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705144927/https://d3pcsg2wjq9izr.cloudfront.net/files/6063/articles/5006/0X0639RRKXC3V97K.pdf |archive-date=5 July 2024}}</ref> shows the average level of solute concentrations of each of the four streams that in-flow to Lake Waco, concentrations being in parts per million. {| class="wikitable" |+Average solute concentrations at the base of streams in the Lake Waco drainage basin !Stream !pH !Conductivity (μS) !Ca<sup>+2</sup> !Na<sup>+</sup> !Mg<sup>+2</sup> !HCO<sub>3</sub> !Cl<sup>−</sup> !SO<sub>4</sub><sup>−2</sup> !NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> !F<sup>−</sup> |- |South Bosque |7.7 |525 |77 |29 |4 |201 |25 |56 |27 |0.29 |- |Middle Bosque |7.8 |371 |65 |14 |2.5 |179 |16 |29 |9 |0.30 |- |Hog Creek |7.8 |381 |61 |14 |2 |188 |14 |21 |5.3 |0.20 |- |North Bosque |7.8 |457 |61 |23 |7 |215 |23 |31 |2 |0.20 |} The amount of dissolved solids, combined with the suspension of clay from the in-flowing rivers, can cause high turbidity in Lake Waco, which can limit algal growth <ref>{{Cite book |last=Joan D. Flowers, Larry M. Hauck, and Richard L. Kiesling |url=http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/pdf/TR0114.pdf |title=Water Quality Modeling of Lake Waco Using CE-QUAL-W2 for Assessment of Phosphorus Control Strategies |date=December 2001 |publisher=Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Tarleton State University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116204802/http://tiaer.tarleton.edu/pdf/TR0114.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2023}}</ref> as the water becomes less transparent. In 2010, a large comprehensive study of Lake Waco was conducted to monitor chemical aspects of the water including nutrient levels, temperature, oxygen, pH, total organic carbon, and chlorophyll.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conry|first=Thomas M.|date=2010-06-30|title=Lake Waco Comprehensive Study: Background and overview|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=26|issue=2|pages=74–79|doi=10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|bibcode=2010LRMan..26...74C |s2cid=85765142 |issn=1040-2381|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The sediment core samples<ref name=":0" /> were found to consist mainly of silt and clay from the tributaries deposition.

== Ecology ==

=== Climate === Waco is home to a humid subtropical climate, consisting of hot, dry summers and mild winters with little snowfall.<ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=Waco Climate Narrative|url=https://www.weather.gov/fwd/wnarrative|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.weather.gov|language=EN-US}}</ref> The annual rainfall for Waco is {{convert|37.51|inches|cm}} per year,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Normals 1991-2020 at Waco Dam, TX US USC00419417 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-annualseasonal&timeframe=30&station=USC00419417 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116154831/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-annualseasonal&timeframe=30&station=USC00419417 |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=17 January 2026 |website=US Climate Normals Quick Access, National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA}}</ref> with some form of precipitation falling an average of 76.4 days out of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waco, TX Climate |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/texas/waco |website=Best Places}}</ref> The average high temperature in July is {{convert|95.4|°F}}, while the average low temperature in the month of January is {{convert|35.7|°F}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monthly Normals 1991-2020 at Waco Dam, TX US USC00419417 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00419417 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116154831/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00419417 |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=17 January 2026 |website=US Climate Normals Quick Access, National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA}}</ref>

=== Flora === Lake Waco hosts an extremely wide variety of plant life, and students of Baylor University have done a great job at classifying several of these organisms.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} Some trees and shrubs found on Lake Waco include Box elder maple, several variations of Sumac, Agarita, Roughleaf dogwood, Honeylocust, Pecan, Mesquite, along with several types of Oak, Elm, and Ash trees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haskell |first=Eric |date=18 April 2007 |title=Waco Lake Plant List |url=https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/waco/images/Waco%20flora%20list.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227161703/http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/waco/images/Waco%20flora%20list.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2016 |access-date=17 January 2026}}</ref> Lake Waco is also home to several flowering plants such as Cocklebur, Giant goldenrod, and Papyrus. There are also several species of aquatic plants such as Cattails, Pickerelweed, and Water lilies. Wildflowers also cover the land surrounding Lake Waco, including Horsemint, the Common sunflower, Texas bull nettle, and the Wild petunia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wildflowers|url=https://www.baylor.edu/lakewaco_wetlands/index.php?id=18718|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Lake Waco Wetlands {{!}} Baylor University|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Fauna === Waco Lake is also home to a fascinating display of Texas wildlife in its local fauna. Common bird sightings include the Great blue heron, the Great egret, and Red-winged blackbirds<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wildlife & Plants, Lake Waco Wetlands - City of Waco, Texas|url=https://www.waco-texas.com/cms-wetlands/page.aspx?id=301#gsc.tab=0|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.waco-texas.com}}</ref> located in the wetlands north of the lake. Several species of reptiles and amphibians can be found along the edges of streams and in the wetlands, including the Green treefrog, the American bullfrog, the Common snapping turtle, and several species of both venomous and non-venomous snakes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco Wetlands Check List|url=https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/829030-Lake-Waco-Wetlands-Check-List|access-date=2021-11-28|website=iNaturalist|language=en}}</ref> Other popular animal sightings around the lake include the American beaver and the White-tailed deer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wildlife & Plants, Lake Waco Wetlands - City of Waco, Texas|url=https://www.waco-texas.com/cms-wetlands/page.aspx?id=301#gsc.tab=0|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.waco-texas.com}}</ref> Multiple species of invertebrates also call the areas around Lake Waco home, including the Asian clam, the Marsh ramshorn, the Prairie rabdotus, and the Decollate snail.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco Wetlands Check List|url=https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/829030-Lake-Waco-Wetlands-Check-List?iconic_taxon=47115&without%5B%5D=page&without%5B%5D=q|access-date=2021-11-28|website=iNaturalist|language=en}}</ref> Lake Waco also has several species of fish living beneath the water, including several species of bass, trout, catfish, crappie, carp, gar, and sunfish.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fishing Lake Waco|url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/waco/|access-date=2021-11-28|website=tpwd.texas.gov}}</ref>

=== Invasive Species === In the fall of 2014, Zebra mussels were spotted in Lake Waco. The city of Waco worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to devise a plan to quell the infestation. Before the spring spawning season, several tarps were laid upon the bottom of the lake to starve the mussels of oxygen. Surprisingly, this strategy seemed to work, as a 2016 inspection found no evidence of zebra mussel DNA in the lake.<ref>{{Cite web|last=By|first=J. B. SMITH|title=Invasive plant cleared from Tradinghouse Lake; Lake Waco zebra mussel threat ebbs|url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/invasive-plant-cleared-from-tradinghouse-lake-lake-waco-zebra-mussel-threat-ebbs/article_720d0ced-75c4-58e5-8c2f-3e28c48826b9.html|access-date=2021-11-28|website=WacoTrib.com|date=23 January 2017 |language=en}}</ref> After a 5 year waiting period, the lake has now been declared Zebra mussel free.

== Lake use == The primary purpose of Lake Waco is to have a stable source of water and to prevent flooding in the region. The water rights to the lake are allocated to the city of Waco and the Brazos River Authority, although the lake is owned by the United States government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lake Waco (Brazos River Basin) {{!}} Texas Water Development Board|url=https://www.twdb.texas.gov/surfacewater/rivers/reservoirs/waco/index.asp#:~:text=Waco%20Lake%20is%20located%20about,flood%20control,%20conservation%20and%20recreation.|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.twdb.texas.gov}}</ref> There are numerous industries in the area that rely on water from the lake, including Purvis Industries, Packless Industries, and American Industrial Lifting Products. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dam, and although the primary purpose is water conservation and allocation, the lake has been popular for summer recreational activities since the 1930s. Several parks surround Lake Waco, also maintained by the corps. These include Airport Park, Flat Rock Park, Koehne Park, Lacy Point, Midway Park, Reynolds Creek Park, Speegleville Park, and Twin Bridges Park.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amanda Sawyer|title=Lake Waco|url=https://wacohistory.org/items/show/44|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Waco History|language=en}}</ref><ref name="parklist">{{cite web|title=Waco Lake|accessdate=March 3, 2023|url=https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/waco/}}</ref> These parks contain areas for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and boating. One of the hiking trails, Lacy Point Nature Trail, is recognized through the National Trails System. Over the summer, educational programs are also offered over topics such as lake history and wildlife. The wetlands north of the lake are maintained by Baylor University and the city of Waco, and are used for research and education.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amanda Sawyer|title=Lake Waco|url=https://wacohistory.org/items/show/44|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Waco History|language=en}}</ref>

== Surrounding land use and effects == The use of land in the Lake Waco basin can have a significant impact upon the nutrient load received by the lake, depending upon the land use. 75% of the land area in the basin is forest and natural range land, contributing 30% of the phosphorus load to the lake and 21% of the nitrogen load. Cropland takes up a further 17% of the land area, but contributes 19% of phosphorus and a mighty 51% of nitrogen.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conry|first=Thomas M.|date=2010-06-30|title=Lake Waco Comprehensive Study: Background and overview|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=26|issue=2|pages=74–79|doi=10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|bibcode=2010LRMan..26...74C |s2cid=85765142 |issn=1040-2381|url-access=subscription}}</ref> This spike is likely due to runoff of fertilizer from the cropland adding significantly more nitrogen to the water. On the other hand, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (feedlots) account for less than 5% of land area in the lake basin, however, contribute 21% of the overall phosphorus load,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Conry|first=Thomas M.|date=2010-06-30|title=Lake Waco Comprehensive Study: Background and overview|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|journal=Lake and Reservoir Management|volume=26|issue=2|pages=74–79|doi=10.1080/07438141.2010.494131|bibcode=2010LRMan..26...74C |s2cid=85765142 |issn=1040-2381|url-access=subscription}}</ref> which is greatly skewed when compared to the much larger area. If land use is not properly managed, nutrients could be added to the lake much faster, speeding the process of eutrophication at an alarming rate.

==External links== *[https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/waco/ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Waco Lake] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041021182704/http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?Id=M219250 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Waco Lake] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070701043432/http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/notices/Waco/index.asp U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Waco Lake Master Plan Supplement] *[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07438141.2010.494131 Lake Waco Comprehensive Study]

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== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waco}} Category:Bodies of water of McLennan County, Texas Category:Dams in Texas Lake Category:Protected areas of McLennan County, Texas Category:Reservoirs in Texas Lake Category:United States Army Corps of Engineers dams