Lake O' the Pines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake O’ the Pines |
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 Lake O’ the Pines
Location in Texas
Lake O’ the Pines
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marion / Upshur / Morris counties, Texas, US |
| Coordinates | 32°46′15″N 94°32′37″W / 32.77083°N 94.54361°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Big Cypress Bayou (Big Cypress Creek) |
| Primary outflows | Big Cypress Bayou |
| Catchment area | 850 sq mi (2,201 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 18,680 acres (76 km2) |
| Water volume | 250,000 acre⋅ft (0.31 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 230 ft (70.1 m) |
Lake O’ the Pines is a large lake in East Texas, USA. It is mostly in Marion County, Texas, but also touches Upshur and Morris Counties. This lake is not natural; it is a "reservoir." This means it was created by building a dam across a river called Big Cypress Bayou. The dam is about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) west of a town called Jefferson.
How Lake O' the Pines Was Made
Lake O’ the Pines was once known as "Ferrell's Bridge Reservoir." It was created by building the Ferrells Bridge Dam. This dam was built on the Big Cypress Bayou. The dam is about 81 miles (130 km) upstream from where the bayou meets the Red River.
The main reason for building this lake was to help control floods. It was part of a bigger plan to manage water in the Red River area. This project was approved by a law called the Flood Control Act of 1946.
Later, more goals were added for the lake. These included protecting wildlife, offering fun outdoor activities, and providing water for people. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started building the dam in January 1955. The dam was finished on December 11, 1959.
The Dam and the Lake's Water
The Ferrells Bridge Dam is made of concrete and earth. It is very long, about 10,600 feet (3,231 meters). The top of the spillway, which lets extra water out, is 249.5 feet (76.0 meters) above sea level.
The lake can hold a lot of water. Its normal "conservation storage capacity" is 250,000 acre-feet. This means it holds enough water for everyday uses. The surface area of the lake is about 18,680 acres (75.6 km2).
The Big Cypress Bayou, which feeds the lake, is about 140 miles (225 km) long. Its total drainage area, where water flows into it, is 850 square miles (2,201 km2). The lake's normal water level is 230 feet (70 meters) above sea level.
Lake O' the Pines also provides drinking water for many cities. These include Jefferson, Ore City, Lone Star, Avinger, Hughes Springs, Daingerfield, and Longview. Water is taken from the lake at different spots.
Fun Fact: Giant Catfish Legends
Lake O' the Pines has a fun legend about huge catfish. Some people say these catfish are so big they are "monstrous." Most people think this is just a fishing story. No real proof has ever been found.
- Lake O' the Pines from the Handbook of Texas Online
