NEWS BINGE 24

Alaska Airlines Safety Record: Is This Airline Actually as Safe as Everyone Says?

Table of Contents
Intro

A Quick Trip Down Alaska Airlines Memory Lane

What Even Makes an Airline “Safe”?

Alaska’s Safety Ratings & All Those Certifications

Pilot Training: Are These Folks Actually Good?

Planes, Maintenance, and Fleet Stuff

Incidents, Accidents, and the Real Story

How Does Alaska Stack Up Against the Big Dogs?

FAA Oversight—Is Anyone Watching?

COVID & Health Safety Vibes

What Are Actual Passengers Saying?

Awards: Trophies for Safety

Sustainability + Safety: Do They Care About the Planet?

The Culture: What Employees and Experts Spill

Media, Rumors, and What People Think

Alaska Airlines in 2025 and Beyond

So… Should You Trust Them?

1. Intro
   Let’s get real: When you’re booking a flight, you wanna know you’ll actually land safe and sound, right? Whether you fly all the time or you’re just thinking about leaving your couch for the first time in ages, knowing if your airline’s got a good safety record is kinda important. Alaska Airlines—yeah, that one with the Eskimo on the tail—gets a lot of hype for being super safe. But is it all marketing fluff, or are they actually rock solid?

https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/the-worlds-safest-airlines-for-2025

Time to dig in. I’m talking about their safety record, how they train their people, how they keep those planes running, what real passengers say, and whether or not you should trust them with your precious self. Buckle up.

2. A Quick Trip Down Alaska Airlines Memory Lane
   Look, before we judge, let’s check their receipts.

How It Started
1932: Just some scrappy bush pilots flying around Alaska as McGee Airways.
1944: They went “official” as Alaska Airlines, spreading out across the state.
Fast forward, suddenly they’re hitting up Seattle, Portland, LA, San Francisco. Big glow-up.

The Big Expansion
Bought Virgin America in 2016, which was kind of a Big Deal.
Now? Over a thousand flights a day, 115+ destinations.
People love ’em for being on time and actually treating passengers like humans.

Safety: The Main Character
Even as they blew up in size, Alaska kept dumping cash into new tech, pilot training, and maintenance. Not just for looks—safety’s in their DNA.

3. What Even Makes an Airline “Safe”?
   Okay, let’s not get lost in the weeds. What are we actually looking for here?

The Usual Stuff:

• Fatal accidents per million flights (the lower, the better, obviously)
• Following FAA rules (so the government doesn’t lose its mind)
• Good maintenance record (no duct tape, please)
• Pilots who know what the heck they’re doing
• Third-party safety ratings (like AirlineRatings.com and JACDEC)
• Not injuring passengers (always a plus)
• Fixing stuff when the FAA tells them to, and not two years later

1. Alaska’s Safety Ratings & All Those Certifications
   FAA Gold Star
   They’ve got a squeaky-clean FAA record. Regular check-ups, no major drama.

AirlineRatings.com
Full marks: 7 out of 7 for safety.
They’re not just good for a US airline—this is global top-10 material most years.

JACDEC
Consistently in their “top 20 safest airlines” club. Not too shabby.

IOSA
That’s the IATA stamp of approval—basically, a big deal in the airline nerd world.

5. Pilot Training: Are These Folks Actually Good?
   You want pilots with more than just a cool hat.

The Requirements

• First officers need at least 1,500 hours in the air (not just playing Flight Simulator at home)
• Simulator training every 6–12 months—so they don’t forget how to land if things get spicy
• Regular “Oh crap, what now?” scenario training

Cabin Crew

• Not just handing out pretzels. They train for fire, medical drama, getting everyone out in a hurry, and security stuff
• Have to do annual “refresher” courses

Safety Culture

• Open reporting—if something’s off, they’re encouraged to say so (ASAP program)
• Crew Resource Management—translation: the pilots and crew actually talk to each other

1. Planes, Maintenance, and Fleet Stuff
   Fleet Choices

• Boeing 737s and Embraer 175s. No ancient relics here.
• Average age: just over 9 years—pretty fresh in airline years

Maintenance

• All work done at FAA-approved shops
• They use predictive tech to spot problems before they turn into disasters
• Daily checks, plus big, deep inspections on the reg (they call ’em A, B, C, D checks, like it’s a report card)

1. Incidents, Accidents, and the Real Story
   The Bad

• Alaska Airlines Flight 261 in 2000. Total nightmare: a jackscrew failure took down the plane.
• After that, they went all-in on fixing maintenance and safety checks.

The Good

• Since 2000? Not a single fatal crash.
• Beefed up maintenance, adopted every NTSB suggestion like the teacher’s pet they needed to be.

1. How Does Alaska Stack Up Against the Big Dogs?
   Here’s a peek at the scoreboard (not boring, I promise):

Airline	Safety Rating	Last Fatal Crash	Avg Fleet Age
Alaska	7/7	2000	9.3 years
Delta	7/7	1985	1

Why Do Veins Look Blue? The Real Story Behind That Weird Color Trick

Table of Contents (Honestly, who actually reads these? But here ya go)

• Wait, Blood Isn’t Really Blue?
• Why the Heck Do Veins Look Blue, Then?
• Light’s Got Tricks: How Your Eyes Get Fooled
• Skin: More Than Just a Cover
• Blue Blood? Royalty Wishes
• The Science-y Bits: Light Bounces & Scatters
• Skin Tones and Vein “Fashion”
• Why Don’t You See Blue Arteries?
• (And more stuff you never thought you’d care about)

1. Introduction
   Ever just stare at your arms during a boring meeting and notice all those blueish lines? If blood is red (and it is—unless you’re some kind of lizard person), why do veins look blue? People have been scratching their heads about this forever. The answer? Oh man, it’s a messy mashup of biology, physics, and good old human eyeball trickery.

Let’s get into what’s really going on—and, sorry, you’re not secretly a royal with fancy blue blood.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-our-veins-look-blue

2. Wait, Blood Isn’t Really Blue?
   Let’s kill this myth right out the gate: your blood is always red. Yeah, even the “used” stuff coming back from your body (that’s called venous blood)—it just looks darker, like if you left ketchup out overnight. Still red though.

Oxygen-rich blood = cherry red.
Oxygen-poor blood = dark maroon, maybe “goth red.”
But blue? Nah.

3. Why the Heck Do Veins Look Blue, Then?
   So why do those lines under your skin look like they belong on a subway map? It’s all about how light hits your skin and bounces around. Red light dives deeper, blue light gets bounced back up. The result: your eyes pick up more blue than red after it’s all jumbled through skin and tissue. It’s honestly just a weird optical illusion.
4. Light’s Got Tricks: How Your Eyes Get Fooled
   Here’s the deal—white light (that’s sunlight or your phone flashlight) is made of all the rainbow colors. When it hits your arm, the skin sucks up some colors, bounces others. Red light? It’s a deep diver. Blue light? Kinda lazy, bounces back early. So you’re seeing the “leftovers” after your skin does its magic trick.

You’re not seeing the blood color directly at all—it’s like looking at a pool and guessing the water color based on the tiles.

5. Skin: More Than Just a Cover
   Skin isn’t just there to keep your guts in. It actually changes how veins look. Lighter skin? Veins show up blue or green, almost like a roadmap. Darker skin? They might look brownish, greenish, or just kind of invisible.

Kids and old folks—thin skin club—get extra visible veins. The rest of us? Just depends on how much padding you’ve got.

6. Blue Blood? Royalty Wishes
   Old story: “Blue blood” meant you were fancy, probably because your pale skin made veins pop. But no, your blood’s not blue unless you’re a horseshoe crab. And those textbook diagrams with the blue and red? Just for contrast—don’t let them fool you.
7. The Science-y Bits: Light Bounces & Scatters
   Okay, quick nerd moment: Rayleigh scattering. It’s why the sky’s blue. Blue light gets scattered all over the place, both in the air and, yes, in your skin. Red light? Again, deep diver. So, the blue stuff’s what your eyes catch coming back out, even though the blood underneath is still rockin’ that red.
8. Skin Tones and Vein “Fashion”
   Darker skin = more melanin, which means more light gets absorbed, so veins might look green, brown, or not show up at all. Same anatomy underneath, just different “filter” on top.
9. Why Don’t You See Blue Arteries?
   Arteries are like the introverts of the circulatory system—hiding out deeper, surrounded by more tissue, under higher pressure. So you don’t see them, and you don’t care what color they are. Outta sight, outta mind.

And that’s the gist—your veins aren’t blue, your eyes are just getting punk’d by physics. Pretty cool, right? Or maybe you’re just still bored at that meeting. Either way, now you know.

1. Introduction
   Alright, let’s get real—your dog isn’t just “the pet.” They’re the four-legged goofball who makes your day and probably has better taste in snacks than you do. So when you hear about West Nile Virus (WNV) and all the scary headlines, you wanna know: should you freak out? Can dogs actually catch this thing? Short version: yeah, it’s possible, but don’t panic just yet.

This guide? It’s the no-nonsense, straight-up info you need about West Nile Virus and your dog—how it spreads, what the symptoms look like, what you’re supposed to do, and how to keep your pup safe when the mosquitoes come out to party.

2. What Even Is West Nile Virus?
   West Nile Virus is one of those nasty little bugs you wish would just stay in a lab somewhere. Technically, it’s a flavivirus (don’t worry, you’re not expected to remember that for trivia night), and it can jump between animals and humans. Started out in Uganda back in the day—1937, to be exact. Now it’s basically everywhere, especially in the U.S. (first popped up in New York in ‘99—thanks, mosquitoes).

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/west-nile-virus-dogs

Quick and dirty facts:

• Birds are the main “bad guys”—crows, jays, sparrows, you name it.
• Mosquitoes do the dirty work, mostly the Culex crew.
• Humans, dogs, horses—they’re “dead-end hosts.” Basically, we catch it, but we don’t pass it on.

1. How Does WNV Spread?
   It’s all about mosquitoes. They bite an infected bird, then buzz off looking for their next meal (which could be you or your dog). Dogs who love hanging out in the backyard or near ponds? Yeah, they’re fair game.
2. So, Wait—Can Dogs Actually Get West Nile?
   Yup, they can. But here’s the twist: most dogs don’t even get sick from it. Their bodies usually kick the virus’s butt before anyone notices. Some studies show dogs have antibodies, which means they’ve seen the virus—but didn’t get knocked out by it. Most of the time, you won’t even know it happened.
3. Documented Cases in Dogs
   They’re rare, honestly. Scientists have found dogs with antibodies in mosquito-heavy areas, but real, “oh wow, my dog is super sick” cases? Not many. If it does happen, it’s usually in dogs with weak immune systems.
4. How Do Dogs Get Exposed?
   Mostly, it’s mosquito bites. That’s the classic route.
   Rarely, dogs might get it from other infected animals, or—this one’s gross—from eating a sick bird. Not common, but hey, dogs eat weird stuff.
5. What Does West Nile Look Like in Dogs?
   Here’s the thing—most dogs never show symptoms. But if they do, here’s what you might see:

• Fever (not just “it’s hot out”)
• Acting super tired or lazy
• Weakness, maybe stumbling around
• No interest in food (that’s always a red flag, right?)
• Muscle tremors
• Trouble walking or standing up
• Confused, disoriented
• Seizures (this is when you really need to call the vet, no joke)

1. How Long Before You See Symptoms?
   Usually, it’s 2-14 days after your dog gets bitten. But honestly, most pups never show anything at all.
2. When Should You Call the Vet?
   If your dog suddenly can’t walk straight, starts having seizures, or just seems “off” in a way you can’t explain, and you live where West Nile is a thing? Don’t wait—just call your vet. Better safe than sorry.

(And if you’re still reading, you’re already a way better dog parent than most. Gold star.)

Alright, let’s shake off the textbook vibes and get into it:

So, picture this: 1958, Lituya Bay, Alaska—middle of nowhere, right? But then, boom. This sleepy little fjord gets absolutely rocked by the biggest freakin’ wave anyone’s ever seen. We’re talking a monster—like, wave-so-tall-it-would-dwarf-the-Empire-State-Building kind of big. People still call it the most powerful tsunami in modern times, and honestly, it’s tough to argue with that. Nothing else even comes close.

https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/largest-tsunami-ever-recorded.htm

But where’s Lituya Bay, anyway? It’s tucked way up in southeast Alaska, surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Not exactly prime vacation real estate, unless you’re into grizzly bears. The place sits right on the Fairweather Fault—think of it as Alaska’s personal earthquake vending machine.

Let’s rewind to the night of July 9, 1958. Everything’s chill until right before midnight, when the ground decides to throw a tantrum—a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. That’s huge. People on boats in the bay felt the water move before they even heard the rumble. Next thing you know, a chunk of mountain the size of a city block just peels off and crashes into the water. And that’s what kicks off the insanity.

So, imagine a rockfall so massive that it basically dropkicks millions of tons of earth straight into the bay. The impact? It launches a wave 1,720 feet high. No, that’s not a typo. One. Thousand. Seven. Hundred. Twenty. Feet. If you’re trying to picture it, just stack five Statues of Liberty on top of each other. Still not high enough.

How does this compare to other tsunamis? Not even in the same league. Most tsunamis are big, sure, but they’re nothing like this. Most waves barely get to the height of a two-story house. This thing was a skyscraper made of water.

A big reason it was so nuts? Gilbert Inlet. The geography there is basically a natural shotgun barrel. The landslide funneled all that energy into one spot, and the wave had nowhere to go but up—and then out. It wiped the forest clean off the hillside, like someone took a giant eraser to the landscape.

Let’s talk survivors. Howard Ulrich and his son were on a boat that night. He saw the mountain collapse, watched a wall of water charge his way, and somehow—seriously, how?—rode it out. His boat got tossed around like a bath toy, but he lived to tell the tale. Others, not so lucky. Boats were torn to splinters or just vanished.

Scientists went wild over this. Geological surveys, all sorts of nerdy number crunching, and now they’re even using satellites and 3D models to piece together what really happened. Turns out, it wasn’t just the quake or just the landslide—it was this perfect, awful combo.

Could it happen again? Well, yeah, technically. The fault’s still there, the mountains are still crumbling, and scientists are watching. But there’s better monitoring now, so maybe we’d get a heads-up. Or maybe not. Nature loves surprises.

Here’s the thing that makes Lituya Bay’s tsunami so weird: it didn’t cross the ocean and wipe out distant cities. It was like a sniper shot, crazy high but super local. That’s why scientists call it a “mega-tsunami”—a whole different beast from your standard earthquake-triggered waves.

After the dust settled, the bay was changed forever. Trees gone, new scars on the land, and people suddenly a whole lot more interested in what’s going on with Alaska’s geology. It woke folks up. Now, there’s more focus on monitoring, education, and making sure we’re not totally blindsided next time.

And of course, Lituya Bay’s wave is now a legend. It pops up in documentaries, books, and all sorts of “did you know?” lists. Scientists love it, disaster junkies are obsessed, and it’s the gold standard for mega-tsunami talk.

What’s the difference between a regular tsunami and this monster? Normal tsunamis are usually triggered by undersea quakes, and they spread across the ocean. Mega-tsunamis are local, caused by massive chunks of earth slamming into water. Other places have seen similar stuff—Lake Geneva in 563 AD, or that bonkers wave in Greenland in 2017—but Lituya Bay is the boss.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Be ready. Nature’s not messing around. Build smart, watch the warning signs, and maybe don’t park your boat under a crumbling glacier. Lituya Bay’s still teaching us about what happens when land, water, and tectonic fury all get together for a midnight party.

And honestly, even after all the science, there’s still a little mystery left in Lituya Bay. That wave? It’s got a legacy—and it’s not done making us wonder.

How Many Calories in a Hot Dog? The (Actually Honest) Breakdown

Hot dogs. Yeah, they’re the MVP at every backyard BBQ and the unsung hero of every baseball game snack lineup. But, real talk—how many calories are you inhaling every time you wolf one down? And does it even matter if you’re going classic beef, vegan, or just loading it up with every condiment known to man?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/06/30/how-many-calories-in-a-hot-dog-buns-ketchup-and-mustard-facts/70331178007/#:~:text=The%20average%20hot%20dog%20contains,11%20grams%20and%20480%20mg.

Buckle up. We’re about to get into the nitty-gritty of hot dog calories—beef, pork, vegan, chili-cheese gut-busters, the whole crew. By the end, you’ll know exactly what’s going on in that bun so you can eat ‘em smarter… or at least know what you’re getting into.

Table of Contents? Eh, let’s wing it. Here’s what’s coming:

• Why Should You Even Care About Hot Dog Calories?
• The “Average” Hot Dog (spoiler: there’s no such thing)
• Calories by Meat (or Plant) Type
• Bun Breakdown—Yeah, It Counts
• Condiments and Toppings (where things get wild)
• Brand Showdown
• Combo Meals: Chips, Fries, Soda, Oh My
• Cooking Methods: Grill, Boil, Fry, Regret
• Are Hot Dogs Healthy…? (Do you really wanna know?)
• Smart Swaps & Diet Tips
• Regional Dog Styles (Chicago, NYC, etc.—yes, those matter)
• How to Burn Off That Dog (hint: hope you like jogging)
• FAQS, Myths, and Final Thoughts

Let’s go.

Why Even Bother Counting Hot Dog Calories?
Look, hot dogs look simple—meat tube, bread, go. But nutrition-wise? It’s a circus. Maybe you’re counting calories, maybe you’re just nosy. Either way, if you wanna keep your dad bod at bay or rock that summer bod, it helps to know what’s up.

And don’t even get me started on all these diets—keto, paleo, whatever Gwyneth Paltrow’s pushing this week. People are reading labels now. Hot dogs? They can be a calorie landmine.

The “Average” Hot Dog (Whatever That Means)
Let’s set a baseline. If you grab a standard beef frank (nothing fancy, no bun, no ketchup smiley face), you’re looking at:

• Calories: 150-190
• Protein: 5-7g
• Fat: 13-17g
• Carbs: 1-2g

But who eats it naked? Toss in a classic white bun and squirt of ketchup and mustard, and you’re staring down 325 calories. Not exactly rabbit food.

Example Breakdown:

• Beef hot dog: 180
• White bun: 120
• Ketchup (tablespoon): 20
• Mustard (teaspoon): 5
  TOTAL: 325

Calories by Type: Not All Meat (or Plants) Are Equal

• Beef: 180-200 (Nathan’s, Hebrew National, Oscar Mayer—basically the heavy hitters)
• Pork: 160-180 (fattier, real talk)
• Chicken: 110-130 (lean machine)
• Turkey: 100-140 (health nut special)
• Vegan/Vegetarian: 90-120 (plant squad, tofu, pea protein, etc)

Bun Calories: The Sneaky Culprit
Don’t sleep on the bun. It’s not just a meat holder, it’s a calorie trap.

• White bun: 120
• Whole wheat: 130
• Gluten-free: 150
• Brioche: 180-200 (fancy but dangerous)
• Lettuce wrap: 5 (if you wanna feel sad)

Condiments: The Good, The Bad, The Creamy
Some won’t hurt. Others? Yikes.

• Ketchup (1 tbsp): 20
• Mustard (1 tsp): 5
• Relish (1 tbsp): 15
• Mayo (1 tbsp): 90 (it’s basically fat in a jar)
• BBQ sauce (1 tbsp): 30-45
• Hot sauce (1 tsp): 0-5 (go wild)

Toppings: Where Regret Lives
You wanna make it a chili cheese dog? Go ahead, but don’t pretend you didn’t know.

• Shredded cheddar (1/4 cup): 110
• Chili (no beans, 1/4 cup): 150
• Bacon bits (1 tbsp): 50
• Sauerkraut (1 tbsp): 5
• Jalapeños (1 tbsp): 5
• Grilled onions (1 tbsp): 30

P.S. – Chili cheese dog? Easily 500-600 calories. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Brand Showdown: Who’s Counting?

• Hebrew National, Beef: 150
• Nathan’s Famous, Beef: 180
• Oscar Mayer Classic, Beef: 130
• Applegate, Turkey: 100
• Field Roast, Vegan: 110
• Tofurky, Vegan: 90

Hot Dog Combos: The Real Calorie Bomb
Because just one dog is for quitters.

• Hot dog meal (dog + sides + drink): 700-1200 (yep, that escalated quickly)
• Chips (small bag): 150-200
• Fries (medium): 350-400
• Soda (12 oz): 140

Cooking Method: Grill, Boil, Fry, Repeat
How you cook it can change the numbers a bit.

• Grilled: A bit less fat since some drips off (yay?)
• Boiled: Less fat, but also less flavor (meh)
• Pan-fried: More fat or oil, so yeah, more calories
• Deep-fried (corn dog style): Add 100-200, and maybe some regrets

Nutritional Breakdown: Fat, Protein, Carbs, Sodium
(And that’s just the beginning, pal)

I could keep going, but you get the idea. Hot dogs are sneaky little calorie grenades. But hey, life’s short—eat the dog, just maybe not every day. Or, you know, at least own it when you do.

How Many Lakes Are in Texas? Full List and Surprising Facts

Table of Contents:

• Intro
• What Counts as a Lake in Texas, Anyway?
• Natural vs Man-Made Lakes (Yeah, There’s a Plot Twist)
• So, How Many Lakes Are We Actually Talking About?
• The Big Boys: Texas’ Largest Lakes
• Teeny Tiny Lakes Texas Still Likes to Brag About
• Top 20 Most Popular Splash Zones (Aka Lakes)
• Lakes by Region—Because Texas is Huge
• Secret, Hidden, or Just Weird Lakes
• Texas History… But Make it Wet
• Lakes & Money: The Economic Scoop
• Green Stuff: Environmental Impact
• The Critters: Lakes & Wildlife in Texas
• Fishing (AKA, The Real Texas National Pastime)
• Boating, Swimming, Water Shenanigans
• Camping & Lakeside Resorts
• Drought Drama & Water Levels
• Reservoirs vs. OG Lakes
• Freshwater vs. “Wait, Is This Salty?” Lakes
• Lakes Near the Big Cities
• Instagrammable Lakes (Photographers, Assemble)
• Texas State Parks With Lakes
• Where’s All This Water Coming From? (Major Rivers)
• Are Texans Still Building New Lakes?
• The Future: Water Storage & Lake Projects
• Fun Facts to Annoy Your Friends With
• Wild, Wacky Lake Names
• Ghost Lakes (Cue Spooky Music)
• Texas Lakes in Pop Culture
• Wrap-Up: Why Texans Love Their Lakes

1. Intro
   Everything’s bigger in Texas. Even the lakes. You drive across this state and you basically trip over a new body of water every few miles—some are so huge they look like inland seas, others are so tiny you could skip a stone clear across. Whether you’re into fishing, wakeboarding, snapping photos, or just floating around with a cold drink, Texas is loaded with watery playgrounds. But, seriously—how many lakes are there in Texas? Let’s go down the rabbit hole.
2. What Counts as a Lake in Texas, Anyway?
   So, what’s a “lake” around here? Honestly, it depends who you ask. Most folks picture a big, blue, splashy thing you can drive a boat across. Officially, a lake is a chunk of water bigger than your average pond, made by nature or humans, usually fed by rivers, springs, or just Texas-size rain dumps. Here’s the kicker though—Texas counts man-made reservoirs as lakes. So our numbers? Way higher than states that only count the natural ones.

Real Talk:

• Natural Lake: Mother Nature did all the heavy lifting.
• Reservoir: Texans put up a dam and—boom—new lake.
• Stock Tanks/Ponds: Small-time stuff for cows and crops. Not really “lakes” in the state’s eyes.

1. Natural vs Man-Made Lakes in Texas (Prepare to Be Shocked)
   Ready for a plot twist? Texas has ONE natural lake. Yep. Just one. Meet Caddo Lake—kinda mysterious, honestly.

https://www.twdb.texas.gov/surfacewater/rivers/reservoirs/index.asp

Caddo Lake:

• Sits on the Texas-Louisiana border (so, kinda shared custody)
• Over 25,000 acres of cypress swampy goodness
• Looks like a set from “True Detective”
• Formed by a giant logjam way back in the 1800s

Man-Made Lakes:
The rest? All man-made. As in, over 7,000 of ‘em. Built for everything from drinking water to fishing tournaments, and, obviously, giving Texans more places to park their jet skis.

4. So, How Many Lakes Are We Actually Talking About?
   Let’s cut to the chase. According to the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Parks and Wildlife folks, there are over 7,000 named lakes and reservoirs here. That adds up to more than 3.5 million acres of watery real estate.

Breakdown:

• 200+ “Major” Lakes: 5,000 acres or more. Big stuff.
• 1,000+ Medium: 500–5,000 acres. Decent for a weekend.
• Thousands of Small Ones: Under 500 acres. Still fun if you like peace and quiet.

Wild Fact: Over 98% of Texas’ lakes? Man-made. Take that, Mother Nature.

5. The Big Boys: Texas’ Largest Lakes
   In case you wanna know which lakes are flexing the most acreage, here’s the current top 10:
6. Toledo Bend Reservoir – 181,600 acres (yowza)
7. Sam Rayburn Reservoir – 114,500 acres
8. Falcon Lake – 83,654 acres
9. Lake Livingston – 83,000 acres
10. Lake Texoma – 78,420 acres
11. Lake Amistad – 66,465 acres
12. Lake Whitney – 23,560 acres
13. Lake Buchanan – 22,333 acres
14. Lake Travis – 18,622 acres
15. Possum Kingdom Lake – 17,700 acres

Notice a trend? All man-made. Man, Texans love their dams.

6. Teeny Tiny Lakes Texas Still Likes to Brag About
   Sure, we’ve got some monster lakes, but Texas also officially recognizes some small fries—especially if they’re cool for wildlife or have a great fishing hole.

Examples:

• Lake Theo (120 acres) – Caprock Canyons State Park
• Lake Ratcliff (45 acres) – Davy Crockett National Forest
• Lake Fryer (110 acres) – Up near Perryton

1. Top 20 Most Popular Splash Zones (Aka Lakes)
   These are the spots everyone and their grandma hits up for boating, swimming, fishing, or just chilling:

• Lake Travis
• Lake Texoma
• Possum Kingdom Lake
• Canyon Lake
• Lake Conroe
• Lake Buchanan
• Inks Lake
• Lake Whitney
• Lake LBJ
• Sam Rayburn Reservoir
• Lake Livingston
• Lake Fork
• Toledo Bend Reservoir
• Lake Palestine
• Lake Austin
• White Rock Lake
• Lake Arlington
• Lady Bird Lake
• Grapevine Lake
• Eagle Mountain Lake

Narrowing it down to just 20 is tough—there are hundreds more, but hey, these get the most love (and Instagram geotags).

Stick around, because Texas lakes are a whole thing—history, fishing, wild names, and even a couple lakes that just straight-up disappeared.