Aquilla Lake is an artificial lake (reservoir) in Hill County, Texas, USA. The dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dam is part of the overall flood control project in the Brazos River basin. The lake is located approximately 23 miles (37 km) north of Waco, Texas, and directly north of the town of Aquilla.
| Aquilla Lake | |
|---|---|
 Aquilla Dam and Lake | |
  Aquilla Lake  Aquilla Lake | |
| Location | Hill County, Texas |
| Coordinates | 31°54′34″N 97°12′12″W / 31.90944°N 97.20333°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Aquilla Creek, Hackberry Creek |
| Primary outflows | Aquilla Creek |
| Catchment area | 255 sq mi (660 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 3,280 acres (1,330 ha) |
| Average depth | 59.5 ft (18.1 m) |
| Water volume | 54,400 acre⋅ft (67,100,000 m3) (normal conservation pool) 146,000 acre⋅ft (180,000,000 m3) (flood pool) |
| Surface elevation | 537 ft (163.7 m) (normal conservation pool) 556 ft (169.5 m) (flood pool) |
The dam was built and is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is formed by an earthfill dam with a crest length of 11,890 feet (3,624 m) and a top width of 38 feet (11.6 m). A reinforced concrete inlet structure near the center of dam houses the flood-control gates and operating equipment. Closure of the dam began March 20, 1982, and the dam was completed in January 1983. Deliberate impoundment began April 29, 1983. The lake was built for water supply, flood control, and recreation purposes. Figures given herein represent total contents. Data regarding the dam and lake are given in the following table (USGS data):
| Elevation | Capacity | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (ft) | (m) | (acre-feet) | (million m³) | |
| Top of dam | 582.5 | 177.6 | ||
| Spillway crest (uncontrolled) | 564.5 | 172.1 | 213,700 | 263.6 |
| Top of flood-control pool | 556.0 | 169.5 | 146,000 | 180.1 |
| Top of conservation pool | 537.5 | 163.8 | 52,400 | 64.6 |
| Invert, lowest gated outlet | 503.0 | 153.3 | 932 | 1.1 |
| Record maximum (1991-12-23) | 551.9 | 168.2 | 119,000 | 146.8 |
| Record minimum (1983-10-10) | 511.3 | 155.8 | 4,600 | 5.7 |
Recreational activities on the lake include boating, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
Fishing
editLargemouth bass fishing can be good on Aquilla. The combination of stained water, localized cover, and light fishing pressure means there are some big bass to catch but you have to work for them. Fish spinner baits, jig and pork combos, and plastic worms in and around cover. Tree lines, fencerows, and creek channels are good places to start. Crappie are usually found on submerged brushpiles and large isolated trees. Live minnows seem to be the preferred bait. Channel and blue catfish are caught drift fishing flats or on trotlines set around shallow, brushy areas. Shad, cutbait, or bloodbait will all work. White bass are caught trolling small tailspinners, jigs, and spoons across windy flats.[1]