Somerville Lake is a reservoir located in central Texas, primarily within Burleson County with a small portion extending into Washington County. Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the damming of Yegua Creek for flood control and water supply purposes, it spans approximately 11,460 acres. The lake has an average depth of about 25 feet and reaches depths up to around 38 feet near the dam.

Opened to the public on May 6th, 1972 Somerville Lake serves as both a recreational destination and environmental habitat. It offers numerous activities such as boating, fishing-known for largemouth bass-and camping across several parks surrounding its perimeter like Rocky Creek Park and Yegua Creek Park which are managed by USACE along with other wildlife management areas that provide opportunities for hunting during designated seasons.

Somerville Lake is situated in east-central Texas, approximately 80 miles northeast of Austin. The area surrounding the lake features a gently rolling landscape characteristic of the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie ecoregions, with an abundance of oak trees interspersed among grasslands and other mixed hardwood forests. This man-made reservoir was created by damming Yegua Creek for flood control purposes and to serve as a water source for municipal use, recreation, and wildlife conservation. Its shores are lined with sandy beaches that give way to lush vegetation providing habitat for various local species. The region's climate is typically warm subtropical with hot summers and mild winters conducive to year-round outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, camping at nearby state parks like Somerville State Park & Trailway or Nails Creek Unit on its western shorelines which offer access points into this scenic natural retreat amidst Texan countryside landscapes.

Somerville Lake, located in Burleson County near the town of Somerville, was created for flood control and water supply purposes. Before its construction by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), completed in 1967, the land primarily served agricultural uses such as farming and ranching.

The USACE acquired lands around Yegua Creek to construct a dam that would manage flooding issues plaguing downstream areas. The project also aimed at providing recreational opportunities and enhancing regional water resources management.

Ownership before federal acquisition varied with multiple private owners using it for agriculture or pastureland typical of rural Texas landscapes during that era. Historical features within what is now known as Somerville Lake State Park include remnants from early settlers' homesteads along with Native American artifacts indicating prior indigenous presence.

Recent land use has focused on recreation; parks were established alongside conservation efforts to protect local wildlife habitats while offering activities like camping, fishing, boating, hiking trails through diverse ecosystems surrounding waters previously shaped by centuries-old human endeavors.