Description

Mitchell Lake is a small

lake A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...

in the southern part of

San Antonio ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

that encompasses approximately within its city limits, in southern

Bexar County Bexar County ( or ; es, Béxar ) is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in South Texas and its county seat is San Antonio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,009,324. Bexar County is included in the San Antonio–New Brau ...

in the US state of Texas. It was used as a

waste management Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitorin ...

center for the city but has since fallen under San Antonio Water System control. A

redevelopment Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses. It represents a process of land development uses to revitalize the physical, economic and social fabric of urban space. Description Variations on redevelopment include: ...

effort has started on the lake with the openings of golf courses and parks. These efforts aim to change the perceptions of people in the South Texas area who associate the lake with uncleanliness. The lake is beloved by birdwatchers who enjoy the sights of many species of bird that live on or around the lake. In 2004, the National Audubon Society entered into a lease with San Antonio Water System to manage the 1,200-acre site.

History

The

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

first utilized the lake in the early 18th century to supply the large

cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...

with water. They called it the "Lake of the Ducks" because of the bounty of ducks that dwelled near the waters. The Mitchell family of San Antonio owned the lake in the 19th century and used it for

fowl Fowl are birds belonging to one of two biological orders, namely the gamefowl or landfowl (Galliformes) and the waterfowl (Anseriformes). Anatomical and molecular similarities suggest these two groups are close evolutionary relatives; together ...

hunting. The city purchased the lake in 1901 for waste management, and as early as the 1970s, efforts began to protect the lake and its rare birds.

Geography

Northern part of the confluence of Median River and Leon Creek. Mitchell Lake is a natural drainage between Balcones Fault zone just north of Luling fault zone. A watershed that drains into Mitchell Lake is 9.76 square miles.

Wildlife

This lake is a diverse ecosystem with a combination of grassland,wetlands, ponds,woodlands,and brush lands. The vegetation is populated with many native plants such as morning glory,aster, lantana,agave,blue mist flower, and live oak. This lake is a route for many migratory birds. Including white pelicans, yellow-billed cuckoo, and roseate spoonbills.

References

Saws.org * {{authority control Geography of San Antonio Lakes of Texas Bodies of water of Bexar County, Texas