Amistad National Recreation Area
Amistad National Recreation Area | |
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Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge over Amistad Reservoir | |
Location | Val Verde County, Texas, USA |
Nearest city | Del Rio, Texas |
Coordinates | 29°26′12″N 101°3′0″W / 29.43667°N 101.05000°W |
Area | 58,500 acres (237 km2)[1] |
Established | November 11, 1965 |
Visitors | 912,283 (in 2022)[2] |
Governing body | National Park Service |
Website | Amistad National Recreation Area |
Amistad National Recreation Area is a
Recreational activities
The lake given its location is the backdrop for year-round, water-based recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming,
There are opportunities for hunting as provided for under state and federal law at Amistad given its status as a recreation area.
Elite scuba divers have begun to explore the system of deep underwater caves beneath the surface of the reservoir.[10] The dive requires exotic gas mixes, pre-placement of gas cylinders, and extensive decompression times at depth.[10] These caves are considered hazardous and should not be attempted by anyone without extensive training and preparation.[10]
Administrative history
The National Park Service initially managed the site as the Amistad Recreation Area under a cooperative agreement with the International Boundary and Water Commission effective November 11, 1965.[11] Amistad was reauthorized as a national recreation area and NPS park unit on November 28, 1990.[11]
Gallery
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Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) near the reservoir
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Panther petroglyph located in Panther Cave jointly managed with Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site[12]
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Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) roosting in the fall on their migration south to Mexico[7]
References
- ^ "Listing of acreage – December 31, 2011" (XLSX). Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-03-30. (National Park Service Acreage Reports)
- ^ "NPS Annual Recreation Visits Report". National Park Service. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ "Amistad". National Parks Conservation Association. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
- ^ "Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary: American Latino Heritage: Amistad National Recreation Area, Val Verde County, Texas". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ a b c "Chihuahuan Desert Paradise" (PDF). The High Bridge Tribune. National Park Service. Winter 2005–2006. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ "Texas Houseboating and Texas Houseboat Rentals". texasoutside.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ a b "Monarch Butterflies Migrate Through Amistad NRA" (PDF). The High Bridge Tribune. National Park Service. Winter 2005–2006. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
- ^ "Public Law 101-628, 104 Stat. 4492, section 506(d)" (PDF). National Park Service. 1990-11-28. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
- ^ a b "Hunting: Amistad National Recreation Area". National Park Service.
- ^ Texas Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ a b "The National Parks Index 2009-2011". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ "How To See Rock Art: Amistad National Recreation Area". National Park Service. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
External links
- Official NPS site: Amistad National Recreation Area
- Archival film footage of the Amistad Dam and Reservoir from the Texas Archive of the Moving Image