How Wide Is Texas’s Lake Sam Rayburn?

Texas’s Lake Sam Rayburn lives up to everything being bigger in Texas since it is the largest lake in its entirety in the state of Texas. The lake is 4.29 miles (6.90 km) wide and is operated by the United States Army Corps Engineers, Forth Worth district.

The lake is also known as the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. It is Texas’s second-largest lake and is man-made. It is known for its recreational activities open to the public so visitors can take a refreshing dip on a hot, Texas day!

Why Was Lake Sam Rayburn Created?

The reservoir is damned is 80 miles north of Beaumont. Built in 1956, Lake Sam Rayburn’s mission is to provide flood control to the Angelina and Neches River basins. It also supplies water and creates hydroelectric power. It delivers this to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, the Beaumont area, and the city of Lufkin. However, now it is known as a spot for some of the best fishing, camping, hiking, and bird watching. It is a recreational paradise.

Is it Safe to Swim in Lake Sam Rayburn?

The lake is a great place for recreational use for the whole family. There are designated swimming areas:

• Ebenezer Park
• Mill Creek Park
• San Augustine Park
• Hanks Creek Park

The areas feature buoys to keep out boats, controlled slopes and depth, sandy beach areas, and ranger patrols. However, there aren’t lifeguards on duty on the beach. Swimming is at visitors’ own risk. The designated areas are free to those with annual passes or registered campers. If your family is taking a day trip, it is $5 per vehicle.

Alligators in Lake Sam Rayburn

There are alligators in the lake. In fact, it is home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Alligators usually reside in the deeper part of the lake. However, they can lurk along its banks and tributaries. Sightings are rare, but the lake is a confirmed home for the pre-historic beasts by biologists and anglers. If you visit the lake and happen upon these predators, it is important to remember not to disturb or approach them. The best approach is to let them be because they become aggressive if threatened or feel cornered. To ensure your safety while enjoying the scenic waters, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings when boating, fishing, or swimming in Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Lake Sam Rayburn lies in five counties that are part of the 32 core counties the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) designate as having high populations of alligators. These core counties are Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Sabine Counties. Core counties also allow commercial hunting because they constitute the prime historical habitat for the American alligator in Texas. The TPWD monitors the alligators and manages harvest through tag issuance to landowners.

Can You Swim Across the Sam Rayburn Reservoir?

At its max width, the Sam Rayburn Reservoir is 4.29 miles (6.90 km). It should take a little over 2 hours, as a mile going two miles per hour is about 30 minutes give or take.

Compared to Other Lakes in Texas

Is There a Town Under Lake Sam Rayburn?

Yes. There is a ghost town under the lake. A town named Zana sat on the Angelina River in the late 1800s. It was a thriving community with a cotton gin, grist mill, and even river steamboats. The town was granted a post office, and by 1896 50 people called it home. However, by the 1930s only a few community members remained, and the town was dropped off the maps. When the reservoir was constructed, Zana became a statistic and one of the many submerged ghost towns in the state’s history.

Where is Lake Sam Rayburn?

The lake is 15 miles north of Jasper and 70 miles north of Beaumont. The largest man-made lake in Texas sits deep in the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas. It is nestled in the Angelina and Sabine National Forests and located in each of the counties:

• Angelina
• Jasper
• Nacogdoches
• Sabine
• San Augustine

Sam Rayburn Reservoir is on the Angelina River, the Neches River’s main tributary, and receives most of its water supply from the river. To the east of the reservoir are these towns: 

• Woden
• Etoile
• Chireno
• Denning
• Augustine
• Macungie
• Broaddus
• Roseville
• Bronson
• Pineland
• Brookeland
• Brownell
• Redland
• Lufkin
• Huntington
• Zavalla

Conclusion

The reservoir is a scenic destination for bass anglers, nature enthusiasts, and boaters alike. It may have been created 60 years, but the lake stays current. There are also plenty of ways to relax and enjoy the destination without getting out on the lake. You can enjoy the stars while you camp or play a round of golf. If you’re trying to find a lovely lake for a vacation, Texas’s Sam Rayburn is the lake for you!