The reservoir is the primary municipal water supply for the city of Houston.

Situated between the communities of Kingwood, Atascocita and Humble on the west bank, Sheldon on the south, and Crosby and Huffman on the east.

An earthen dam spans a portion of the southern bank along Dwight D. Eisenhower Park.

The city sold Sheldon Lake to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for use as a waterfowl sanctuary and public fishing site.

At the northern end of the lake, Lake Houston Wilderness Park has rental cabins, facilities for camping, a kayak launch and trails for hiking and biking.