Water is used for municipal and industrial purposes in the Houston metropolitan area.
A small diversion is also made for cooling purposes at the Gulf State Utilities generating plant on Lewis Creek Reservoir near Conroe. The tower has three gated openings and one uncontrolled opening. The dam is under the jurisdiction and management of the San Jacinto River Authority. Although called a constant level lake in some quarters, the level of the lake can vary widely. At that level, many docks sit over a pool of mud and the lake becomes extremely treacherous for boaters due to the possibility of striking submerged hazards.