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 Bellwood Lake in Tyler Texas |
Bellwood Lake in Tyler
In the Piney Woods Section of East Texas, there are over 30 lakes offering a variety of outdoor sports and recreation, including Lake Palestine and Lake Tyler, and Bellwood and Greenbriar Lakes in the western part of Tyler.
About Bellwood Lake
Bellwood Lake is located in west Tyler, just past Loop 323 near The Cascades development and All Saints Episcopal School, and covers an area of 170 acres. The reservoir is the result of a dam structure across Indian Creek, a tributary of the Neches River.
The lake is owned and controlled by the City of Tyler, and was originally built as a water supply for the city. The city purchased land near a grist mill pond about four miles from downtown, and built an earthen dam in 1894 to form Bellwood Lake. The lake was used as a source of water for the city until 1950. The dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an historic structure. Lake Bellwood was named for the small, nearby community of Bellwood.
 Map of Bellwood Lake and Greenbriar Lake in Tyler, Texas |
Today, the lake and the 185 acres of marginal lands around the lake that are also owned by the City, are used principally for recreational purposes. However, only limited access and recreational facilities are located on the north shore.
The main purpose of the lake continues to be that of a reserved surface water source for public consumption. The City of Tyler does not currently pump water out of the lake for drinking water purposes, but does reserve the right to do so should the need ever arise. Therefore, drinking water quality in this lake is of the utmost importance to the City.
The crest of today's spillway is 426 feet above sea level, and the lake has a capacity of 1,391 acre-feet.
The southern side of the lake is occupied by The Cascades development, with Cascades Shoreline Drive lining the southern bank of the lake. The northern shore is accessed via Bellwood Lake Drive from Texas Highway 31. Road 1243 runs from Bellwood Lake Drive in a southerly direction to the lake's dam.
The Cascades of Texas offers a variety of living options, including estates homes, lake cottages, golf front homes, lakefront and high-rise condominiums. It also offers an extensive 18-hole professional golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, hiking trails, annual events and a variety of dining experiences.
Scene at Bellwood Lake |
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Interactive Map of Bellwood Lake
Bellwood Lake overview as seen from the pool and dock at The Cascades |
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Greenbriar Lake
Nearby Bellwood Lake is Greenbriar Lake, accessed on the north side via Greenbriar Lake Road, and on the southern side by Pounds Drive and Dudley Drive (see map below).
Interactive Map of Greenbriar Lake
More Information
Bellwood Lake Information at the website of the City of Tyler
 Lake Tyler Texas |
Lake Tyler
Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East, situated adjacent to each other and connected via a canal, are located just east of Tyler, Texas.
These are the largest lakes in the Tyler area in addition to Lake Palestine.
The two lakes cover nearly 5,000 surface acres and serve as the major water supply source to the Tyler metro area.
For more information about fishing, boating, maps, lodging, photographs and more, visit www.Lake-Tyler.com
Lake Palestine
Lake Palestine is located about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, on Texas Highway 155, and the result of a dam on the Neches River.
 Marina on Lake Palestine |
It has a surface area of 25,560 acres, and was completed in 1962.
For more information, visit www.LakePalestineTexas.com
List of Other East Texas Lakes
Tyler has a number of other lakes in its immediate vicinity, providing fishing, swimming, water skiing, houseboats, jet skis, sailing and other outdoor and hiking activities.
Within easy driving distance are lakes such as Toledo Bend Reservoir, Lake Jacksonville, Lake Fork, and Lake Striker.
Lakes located near Tyler are listed first, with other East Texas lakes listed as well:
Lake Name |
Size (Acres) |
| Lake Palestine | 25,560 |
| Lake Tyler | 2,224 |
| East Lake Tyler | 2,276 |
| Lake Bellwood | 170 |
| Toledo Bend Reservoir | 181,600 |
| Lake Jacksonville | 1,320 |
| Lake Striker | 1,863 |
| Lake Fork | 27,264 |
| Lake Hawkins | 633 |
| Lake Athens | 1,799 |
| Lake Gladewater | 481 |
| Lake Gilmer | 1,010 |
| Lake O'The Pines | 16,919 |
| Lake Columbia (planned) | |
| Lake Sam Rayburn | 114,500 |
| Lake Livingston | 90,000 |
| Wright Patman Lake | 18,994 |
| Caddo Lake | 26,800 |
| Lake Tawakoni | 37,879 |
| Lake Conroe | 20,118 |
| Lake Bob Sandlin | 9,004 |
| Nacogdoches Lake | 2,212 |
For more Texas lakes, visit Texas Freshwater Lakes
provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife