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PEACHES BROWNLoKation Real Estate
Wooden dock stretching over calm lake water at sunset, the kind of waterfront setting found around Lake Houston

Kingwood & Lake Houston Guide

Lake Houston homes for sale: a buyer's guide

For Lake Houston homes for sale, request a current home list from Peaches Brown and compare jurisdictions, school zones, flood maps and waterfront questions for each address. Lake Houston is a City of Houston reservoir on the San Jacinto River, operated and maintained by the Coastal Water Authority 1. Homes around it fall in several jurisdictions and school districts, so the lake is only the starting point for research.

Request a Lake Houston home list All Area Guides
City of Houston1Reservoir owner
Dec 19531Dam construction completed
112Tainter gates in the spillway project
$10 million3County dredging partnership with the City (2021)

The reservoir

A water-supply lake first

The Texas Water Development Board lists the lake for municipal, industrial, recreational, mining and irrigation use; dam construction began in November 1951 and finished in December 1953 1. The City calls it its primary water reservoir 4, and the Coastal Water Authority is the contract operator for the dam and reservoir, working with Houston Public Works 5.

Regional drinking water

The City describes the lake as the primary drinking water reservoir for a large portion of the region 2.

What it means for owners

Water levels and dam operations are set by public agencies, not by neighborhood associations. Factor that into shoreline plans.

Flood projects

Spillway gates, dredging and regional studies

The City’s Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project would add 11 tainter gates so water can be released in a more controlled way during major storms. The City lists it in design, with an estimated construction start in summer 2028 and completion in winter 2030 2.

County gates partnership

Harris County authorized a partnership with the City in November 2020 to plan, design and build additional gates on Lake Houston 6.

Dredging

In October 2021, the County approved a $10 million partnership to support City-led dredging on Lake Houston and the East and West Forks of the San Jacinto River 3.

Regional study

HCFCD, Montgomery County, the City and SJRA built a San Jacinto watershed plan whose inundation maps are non-regulatory 7.

Around the lake

Different shores, different rules

On the lake’s north and west side, Kingwood is inside Houston city limits and the City says its schools belong to Humble ISD 8. The City’s profile of its Lake Houston super neighborhood, next to the reservoir’s east side, says adjacent subdivisions were annexed in 1965 and places that area in Huffman ISD 4. Atascocita lies outside the City of Humble 9, and Summerwood’s association describes a community along the lake’s shores with a Houston address 1011.

Confirm the district

With several districts around the lake, check each address in TEA’s locator, which TEA calls approximate, then confirm with the district 12.

Lake Houston Wilderness Park

A separate City park of nearly 5,000 acres near New Caney, with trails, cabins and campsites 13. It was a state park until 2006 14. Check current hours and fees before you visit.

KSA boat ramp

KSA lists a boat ramp at River Grove; KSA park vehicles and boat trailers must display a numbered “K” sticker 1516.

Waterfront checklist

Before you buy on or near the water

Map the address in the Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool, which shows the floodway and 1% and 0.2% floodplains 17, and pull the effective FIRM panel from FEMA 18. Then pull the HCAD record for the taxing units on the parcel 19.

Shoreline structures

Have bulkheads, docks and lifts inspected, and ask what permits or HOA approvals cover them.

Insurance early

Request flood and wind insurance quotes during your option period, using the elevation certificate if one exists.

Common Questions

Lake Houston homes for sale: common questions

Who owns Lake Houston?

The City of Houston owns the lake, and the Coastal Water Authority operates and maintains it 1.

What is the Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project?

It’s a City of Houston project to add 11 tainter gates to the dam so water can be released in a more controlled way during major storms. The City lists it in design, with construction estimated to start in summer 2028 2.

Is Lake Houston Wilderness Park the same as Lake Houston?

No. It’s a City of Houston park of nearly 5,000 acres near New Caney with trails, cabins and campsites 13, transferred from the state park system in 2006 14. Check current hours and fees with the Parks Department.

Keep Comparing

Nearby area guides

Kingwood TX area guideAtascocita TX area guideSummerwood area guideWalden on Lake Houston area guideHouston home buyer guidanceHouston home seller guidanceRelocating to Houston: plan your home searchKingwood relocation guide

Sources

Where these facts come from

Verify details for a specific address with the official source before you make a decision.

  1. Lake Houston (San Jacinto River Basin), Texas Water Development Board (accessed 2026-10-05).
  2. Lake Houston Dam, City of Houston (Engage Houston) (accessed 2026-10-05).
  3. CI-61 East Fork, West Fork, and Lake Houston Dredging, Harris County Flood Control District (accessed 2026-10-05).
  4. Super Neighborhood 44 - Lake Houston, City of Houston, Department of Neighborhoods (accessed 2026-10-05).
  5. About the Coastal Water Authority, Coastal Water Authority (accessed 2026-10-05).
  6. CI-028 Lake Houston Gates, Harris County Flood Control District (accessed 2026-10-05).
  7. C-17 San Jacinto River Watershed Study, Harris County Flood Control District (accessed 2026-10-05).
  8. Super Neighborhood 43 - Kingwood, City of Houston, Department of Neighborhoods (accessed 2026-10-05).
  9. Humble History, City of Humble (accessed 2026-10-05).
  10. Summerwood Community Association - Home, Summerwood Community Association (accessed 2026-10-05).
  11. Amenities, Summerwood Community Association (accessed 2026-10-05).
  12. School District Locator, Texas Education Agency (accessed 2026-10-05).
  13. Lake Houston Wilderness Park, City of Houston, Houston Parks and Recreation Department (accessed 2026-10-05).
  14. Lake Houston State Park Transfers to City of Houston (Aug. 28, 2006), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (accessed 2026-10-05).
  15. Kingwood Service Association - Home Page, Kingwood Service Association (accessed 2026-10-05).
  16. Kingwood Service Association - Parks, Kingwood Service Association (accessed 2026-10-05).
  17. Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool, Harris County Flood Control District (accessed 2026-10-05).
  18. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency (accessed 2026-10-05).
  19. Harris Central Appraisal District, Harris Central Appraisal District (accessed 2026-10-05).