Lake Nacogdoches (Neches River Basin)
Lake Nacogdoches (also known as Loco Dam) is located on Loco Bayou, a tributary of the Angelina River which is a tributary of the Neches River, ten miles west of Nacogdoches off FM 225. The City of Nacogdoches is the controlling authority. Primary uses are municipal water supply and recreation.
At conservation pool, Lake Nacogdoches is 2,212 surface acres in size, has a shoreline length of 16 miles, and a mean depth of 15 feet. Water level fluctuations average 2 feet annually. Two public boat ramps with loading docks provide excellent boat access. Construction of the dam began in June of 1975. Deliberate impoundment occurred on May 4, 1976. Talon Construction Company of Addison, TX was the general contractor.
The lake was formally placed on line as a water source for the city in September 1977. The dam's structure is a rolled earth embankment, approximately 4,350 feet in length and 50 feet tall above the natural streambed. The service spillway is a concrete "Morning Glory" designed drop inlet. The 25 foot diameter crest is at elevation 279.0 ft. mean sea level. The emergency spillway (earth cut channel) is located at the west end of the embankment and is approximately 500 feet wide with a crest elevation of 286.0 feet above mean sea level.