Green Lake (Texas): Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 28°31′43″N 96°50′23″W / 28.5287°N 96.8397°W / 28.5287; -96.8397
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Wealthy [[cotton]] farmers from [[Kentucky]] established plantations and settled the fertile lands near the lake during the 1850's, establishing the town of Green Lake, Texas. First-hand accounts described it as "the locality of a neighborhood characterized by [the] wealth and social standing of the residents." <ref name="green lake"/>
Wealthy [[cotton]] farmers from [[Kentucky]] established plantations and settled the fertile lands near the lake during the 1850's, establishing the town of Green Lake, Texas. First-hand accounts described it as "the locality of a neighborhood characterized by [the] wealth and social standing of the residents." <ref name="green lake"/>


After the [[American Civil War]], returning residents found that their [[Slavery in the United States|slaves]], livestock and farm equipment had been taken. Most residents moved elsewhere, however, in the early 20th century, farmers returned and the town of Green Lake began to grow, with an approximate population of 300 in 1914.<ref name="green lake"/> From about 1900 to 1915, it was estimated that $100,000 of fish were caught in the lake. This was revealed during the proceedings of the [[Texas Courts of Appeals]]' 1917 ''[[Welder v. State]]'' case, which ultimately found that dried areas of the lake belonged to the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, and could not be sold.<ref>"Welder v. State", pp. 868–873</ref> Two decades later, in the midst of the [[Great Depression]], the population of Green Lake dwindled to 25, until oil was discovered near the lake in 1947. Twenty wells were constructed at the Green Lake oilfield, although as of 1984, only one still operated. By 2000, the population was 51, the same number reported in 1970 and 1990.<ref name="green lake">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/hng29.html|title=Green Lake, Texas|last=Rupert|first=Rebecca|date=May 30, 2010|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=June 25, 2010}}</ref>
After the [[American Civil War]], returning residents found that their [[Slavery in the United States|slaves]], livestock and farm equipment had been taken. Most residents moved elsewhere, however, in the early 20th century, farmers returned and the town of Green Lake began to grow, with an approximate population of 300 in 1914.<ref name="green lake"/> At the time, much of the land in the vicinity was used for animal grazing, and the only profitable commercial use for the lake was for transporting wood and fishing. From 1900 to 1915, approximately $100,000 of fish were caught in the lake. This was revealed during the proceedings of the [[Texas Courts of Appeals]]' 1917 case ''Welder v. State'', which determined that dried areas of the lake could not be sold because, as navigable-in-fact, the bed belonged to the public under the purview of the [[Texas Parks and Wildlife Department|Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission]].<ref>"Welder v. State", pp. 868–873</ref>
Two decades later, in the midst of the [[Great Depression]], the population of Green Lake dwindled to 25. It remained low until the discovery of nearby oil in 1947. Twenty wells were constructed at the Green Lake oilfield, although as of 1984, only one still operated. By 2000, the population of the Green Lake settlement was 51, the same number reported in 1970 and 1990.<ref name="green lake">{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/hng29.html|title=Green Lake, Texas|last=Rupert|first=Rebecca|date=May 30, 2010|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=June 25, 2010}}</ref>


===Civil War===
===Civil War===

Revision as of 23:59, 20 May 2013

Green Lake
LocationCalhoun County, Texas
Coordinates28°31′43″N 96°50′23″W / 28.5287°N 96.8397°W / 28.5287; -96.8397
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area10,000 acres (40 km2)

Green Lake is a natural tidal lake in Calhoun County, Texas, on the Guadalupe River flood basin, known for its greenish waters, from which its name derives. The lake is 12 miles (19 km) west of Port Lavaca and 22 miles (35 km) south of Victoria on the Gulf Coastal Plain, and although less than 3 miles (4.8 km) from the coast of San Antonio Bay, its waters are fresh.[1] Covering an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²), it is the largest freshwater lake entirely in Texas.[2] A wetland ecosystem supporting a wide variety of waterfowl has developed along the lake and near the Guadalupe River delta.

The lake shore was once home to an affluent 19th-century agricultural community of the same name, which dwindled in size and status. It was virtually abandoned in the aftermath of the American Civil War, but was somewhat revitalized in 1947 after the discovery of oil near the lake. Green Lake was strategically important during the early stages of the Civil War because of its proximity to both fresh water and the Gulf of Mexico. A fictional lake of the same name and with a similar history is featured in the 1998 novel Holes.

History

Formation

Green Lake formed initially as a northern inlet of San Antonio Bay. As the Guadalupe River shifted westward about 2,500 years ago, it deposited silt, developing a delta that prograded into San Antonio Bay. Around 2,200 years ago the delta discharge extended completely across the bay, severing the northern extension from the system, which formed present-day Green Lake. Pottery and burial grounds found in the area suggest a presence of Karankawa Indians at the time of formation. Middens uncovered north of the lake contained shells from the brackish water-species of rangia clams (rangia cuneata). [3]

Settlement

1917 drawing from the Welder case, showing the property owners around Green Lake

Wealthy cotton farmers from Kentucky established plantations and settled the fertile lands near the lake during the 1850's, establishing the town of Green Lake, Texas. First-hand accounts described it as "the locality of a neighborhood characterized by [the] wealth and social standing of the residents." [4]

After the American Civil War, returning residents found that their slaves, livestock and farm equipment had been taken. Most residents moved elsewhere, however, in the early 20th century, farmers returned and the town of Green Lake began to grow, with an approximate population of 300 in 1914.[4] At the time, much of the land in the vicinity was used for animal grazing, and the only profitable commercial use for the lake was for transporting wood and fishing. From 1900 to 1915, approximately $100,000 of fish were caught in the lake. This was revealed during the proceedings of the Texas Courts of Appeals' 1917 case Welder v. State, which determined that dried areas of the lake could not be sold because, as navigable-in-fact, the bed belonged to the public under the purview of the Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission.[5]

Two decades later, in the midst of the Great Depression, the population of Green Lake dwindled to 25. It remained low until the discovery of nearby oil in 1947. Twenty wells were constructed at the Green Lake oilfield, although as of 1984, only one still operated. By 2000, the population of the Green Lake settlement was 51, the same number reported in 1970 and 1990.[4]

Civil War

The lake played a role in the evacuation of federal troops from Texas at the onset of the American Civil War. As Texas considered whether to secede from the United States, General David E. Twiggs, commander of federal troops in Texas negotiated with state leaders concerning the transfer of federal property. After learning of such negotiations, the United States military moved to decommission Twiggs, and replace him with Colonel Carlos Waite. Texas viewed this move as a rejection of the negotiations and proceeded to forcefully claim the federal property. Twiggs, while awaited relief from Waite, surrendered the property on the condition that federal troops could peacefully evacuate. They were allowed to depart, but only from the Texas coast. Waite arrived and relocated troops near Green Lake, where they could await coastal departure near an adequate source of freshwater. During the stay, Fort Sumter fell under siege, and Texas grew concerned about the concentration of armed federal troops in the area. With their respective nations now at war, Texas considered the deal with Twiggs void, and began to capture federal troops to force them to either join the Confederacy or be Prisoners of War. Some of the remaining uncaptured companies elsewhere in the state attempted to flee to Green Lake.[6] Several regiments camped by the lake later in the war, and complained about mosquitos.[7]

Geography

Green Lake is about 13 miles (21 km) in circumference and about 2 miles (3.2 km) wide.[8] It is oval-shaped from west to east with a large circular protuberance stretching to the south. The western shore is generally linear, slanted to the southeast until it reaches the West Point peninsula halfway through. Below this point forms the western shore of the circular extension. The shore circles along to the bay's southwest, and forms a point midway on the southern bank of the original oval. The southern shore continues eastward, until reaching the southeastern extreme, from here the shore circles back to the north, forming the eastern shore. When it reaches the northernmost point, the shore continues on an almost straight southwestern path, until meeting the western shore at near right angle.[9]

The water level is shallow near the shoreline, but begins to fall to a maximum depth, a hundred feet from the shore. At this point the bottom is generally flat and averages about 4 feet (1.2 m) in depth. The nearby Guadalupe River frequently floods the plain, and is the main source of fresh water renewal.[8] The shoreline is naturally grassy and poorly drained with coastal marshes between the lake and San Antonio Bay.[1] To improve drainage, a levee was constructed,[10] separating the lake from the Victoria Barge Canal built in 1967,[11] which runs along the bay's northern and eastern shore, and cuts off several bayous from entering the lake. The canal begins north at an industrial plant outside Victoria and empties in San Antonio Bay, in Seadrift. The Hog Bayou runs along the western shore of Green Lake, through the Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area to the south, before its confluence with Mission Lake.[9] The nearest community is the rural settlement of Green Lake, whose residents use the lake for fishing, hunting waterfowl and water sports.[1] The town of Tivoli is 4 miles (6.4 km) to the southwest.

Flora and fauna

In the area around Green Lake there are forests of pecan, black willow, cedar, American elm, hackberry and green ash. To the south, the Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area serves as a wetland habitat for thousands of permanent egrets, and other birds,[2] including the endangered Brown Pelican, Reddish Egret, White-faced Ibis, Wood Stork, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and the Whooping Crane. American Alligators reside in the area as well.[12]

Redfish and trout were once the main species of fish living in the lake, until the construction of an embankment reduced their populations. A large quantity of silt is now deposited in the lake from the Guadalupe River, after the dredging of a freshwater channel that supplies farmers and the Union Carbide plant in Seadrift. The channel has negatively affected the delta ecosystem by diminishing the river's nutritional input.[13]

In popular culture

Green Lake, Texas is the setting for Louis Sachar's 1998 novel Holes, and the 2003 film adaptation. It is described as a dry lake that had once been the largest in the state, surrounded by an affluent community. After a long drought, the lake dried up and the area became a ghost town. Juvenile delinquents were sent to Camp Green Lake to dig holes in the lakebed as punishment.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Green Lake". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. May 30, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Texas Independence Trail", p. 98
  3. ^ "Life at Guadalupe Bay". Texas Beyond History. University of Texas. March 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c Rupert, Rebecca (May 30, 2010). "Green Lake, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  5. ^ "Welder v. State", pp. 868–873
  6. ^ Speer, pp. 2–4
  7. ^ Penn, p. 230
  8. ^ a b "Welder v. State", p. 869
  9. ^ a b "Topographic Maps". Digital-Topo-Maps.com. Google. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  10. ^ McGillicuddy, Ryan (July 2009). "What Makes a Lake" (PDF). Texas Wetland News. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  11. ^ Roell, Craig H. (May 30, 2010). "Victoria County". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  12. ^ "Guadalupe Delta WMA". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. August 21, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  13. ^ Patoski, Joe Nick (December 18, 2003). "The Dead Zone – Water -". San Antonio Current. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  14. ^ Sachar, pp. 3–5

Bibliography

  • Penn, Lyon William (July 2009). Reminiscences of the Civil War. BiblioBazaar, LLC. ISBN 978-1-113-21498-0.
  • Sachar, Louis (1998). Holes. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR). ISBN 0-374-33266-5.
  • Speer, Lonnie R. (November 1, 2005). Portals to Hell: Military Prisons of the Civil War. U of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-9342-7.
  • "Texas Independence Trail". Texas Monthly. 19 (4). Emmis Communications. April 1991. ISSN 0148-7736.
  • "Welder v. State". The Southwestern reporter. West Pub. Co. 1917.

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