Amistad ReservoirAbout Amistad Reservoir
Amistad Reservoir is a large reservoir on the Rio Grande along the Texas-Coahuila border, created by the construction of Amistad Dam to store water and control floods as a joint United States-Mexico project.
The impoundment provides extensive shoreline for boating, angling and camping and is managed in the United States in part through the Amistad National Recreation Area; the reservoir supports recreational boating, fisheries and shoreline camping across both countries.
The dam and reservoir were developed as a binational project to regulate river flows between the two nations and to provide municipal, agricultural and industrial water supplies, with construction and operation coordinated by the International Boundary and Water Commission.
The reservoir lies adjacent to the city of Del Rio, Texas on the U.S. side and extends into the Mexican state of Coahuila, with major access points and visitor facilities concentrated around Del Rio and associated recreation-area campgrounds.
- Binational reservoir: Formed on the Rio Grande and straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, the reservoir is a binational water-storage and flood-control project managed through the International Boundary and Water Commission.
- Access point: Nearest major city on the U.S. side is Del Rio, Texas, which serves as the main gateway for access, boat launches and visitor services.
What to See#
- Amistad Dam: The concrete Amistad Dam on the Rio Grande and associated international control works, constructed as a binational project to regulate river flows and store water.
- Amistad National Recreation Area: Amistad National Recreation Area, which manages shoreline recreation, boat ramps and campgrounds around the reservoir on both the U.S. and Mexican sides.
Best Time to Visit Amistad Reservoir
Spring and autumn balance good weather with lower summer storm risk; summer is hot but popular for water sports.
Weather & Climate near Amistad Reservoir
Amistad Reservoir's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 36°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 2° - 17° | 8° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 5° - 20° | 12° | 26 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 25° | 17° | 14 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 13° - 29° | 21° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 18° - 33° | 26° | 40 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 22° - 35° | 29° | 45 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 24° - 37° | 30° | 39 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 36° | 30° | 48 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 34° | 27° | 65 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 15° - 28° | 22° | 57 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 22 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 3° - 18° | 11° | 12 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Amistad Reservoir
Amistad Reservoir is accessed from Del Rio, Texas (US side) and Ciudad Acuña (Mexico side). From Del Rio, take US‑90 toward the Amistad National Recreation Area visitor centers and follow park signage to boat ramps and campgrounds. Check NPS pages for seasonal advisories.
Tips for Visiting Amistad Reservoir
- Check Bureau of Reclamation notices for boating restrictions and water level advisories - levels can change due to water management.
- Boat ramps and marinas are concentrated near the dam; plan for variable distances between facilities.
- Border fishing rules may apply in some parts-confirm regulations if fishing near international lines.