Jim Chapman Dam facts for kids
The Jim Chapman Dam is a large dam located in Texas, United States. It sits across parts of Delta County and Hopkins County. This important structure helps manage water and offers fun activities for people.
Building the Dam
The Jim Chapman Dam was built in 1991. It is an earthen dam, meaning it's made mostly from earth and rock. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built this dam. They also own and operate it today.
The dam is 95 feet (about 29 meters) tall. It stretches for a very long distance, about 28,072 feet (over 8.5 kilometers) across its top. Its main job is to hold back the south fork of the Sulphur River. This creates a large lake.
The water from the lake is used for two main things. First, it provides drinking water for nearby towns. Second, it creates a great place for recreation, like fishing and boating.
Jim Chapman Lake: A Place for Fun
The dam creates a big lake called Jim Chapman Lake. This lake covers a huge area of 19,305 acres (about 78 square kilometers). It can hold a lot of water, up to 797,000 acre-feet.
Jim Chapman Lake is very popular for fishing. Many different kinds of fish live here. You might catch blue and channel catfish. There are also bluegill, Florida largemouth bass, and crappie. Hybrid striped bass are also common.
Two parts of Cooper Lake State Park are located right on Jim Chapman Lake. These parks offer even more ways to enjoy the lake and its surroundings.
How the Dam Got Its Name
The Jim Chapman Dam was not always called by this name. When it was first built, it was known as Cooper Dam. The lake was also called Cooper Lake.
In 1998, the United States Congress decided to change the names. Both the dam and the lake were renamed to honor Jim Chapman. He was a former congressman from Sulphur Springs, a town nearby. This was a way to recognize his work and service.
