Twenty-two thousand acres of fresh water surrounded by a great pine forest. Play in fresh water on the sandy beach with the deep green of towering pine trees lining the horizon. Completed in 1973, Lake Conroe has become one of the largest, most active lakes in the state. The area is an ideal destination for corporate meetings, family vacations and week-end get-away's. Full-service resorts, hotels and camping facilities operate year-round, offering a variety of recreational activities, festivals and holiday events.

The Southern Empress
The 250-passenger Southern Empress is an authentic stern- wheel paddleboat, lavished in Victorian decor. It is open to the public for cocktail, dinner, a Captain's Champagne brunch, and sightseeing cruises, as well as private functions. Entertainment is provided on all cruises. The Southern Empress was recently judged by members of the National Tour Association and the American Bus Association to be among the top three attractions in East Texas.

Lake Conroe Park & Pavilion
A 17 Acre public park on the shores of Lake Conroe. Large, colorful playground, horseshoe pits, & volleyball courts. Great for day outings, swimming, family picnics and fishing.

Marinas
There are many great marinas on Lake Conroe that are open to the public. Most will charge a small user fee. 


National Forest
The Sam Houston National Forest features extensive hiking, rough camping and wilderness areas, as well as seasonal hunting. The forest is also a habitat for the red cockaded woodpecker.

Jones State Forest
The 1,275-acre mixed pine hardwood forest is about 5 miles west of Conroe on FM 1488. Included in this forest is the Sweetleaf Nature Trail and a two-acre pond for fishing, swimming and picnicking. The forest provides habitat for over 137 species of birds, some very common and

 
Construction:
Started January , 1970 - completed January 1973

Cost:
$30,000,000

Filled:
October 31, 1973

Normal Pool:
Elevation 201.00 feet above mean sea level

Surface Area:
22,000 acres (5,000 acres in Sam Houston National Forest)

Capacity:
430,260 acre feet (140,200,651,000 gallons)

Average Depth:
20.5 feet

Yield:
100,000 acre feet per year (90 million gallons per day)

Water Use:
San Jacinto River Authority - one third for industrialand irrigation; two thirds City of Houston

Water Releases:
Floodwater - by raising gates (5 gates 40' wide). Water for downstream - through service outlet structure using one or two of three gates at different elevations.

Evaporation:
Average annual - 48 inches (71 million gallons per day). Summer (115 million gallons per day). Winter (30 million gallons per day). Maximum (180 million gallons per day).

Pollution Control:
Texas Water Commission - controls discharges from sewage treatment plants. San Jacinto River Authority - inspects and licenses on-site sewage facilities (septic tanks) within 2,075 feet of the lake.

Flowage Easement:
Elevation 201 to elevation 207