Wright Patman Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wright Patman Lake
Wright Patman Lake Location in Texas Show map of Texas Wright Patman Lake Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Map
Location	Bowie / Cass counties, Texas, United States
Coordinates	33°18′17″N 94°09′36″W / 33.30472°N 94.16000°W / 33.30472; -94.16000
Type	Flood control reservoir
Primary inflows	Sulphur River
Primary outflows	Sulphur River
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	20,300 acres (8,200 ha)
Max. depth	34.6 ft (10.5 m)
Water volume	158,000 acre⋅ft (0.195 km3)
Surface elevation	220.6 ft (67.2 m)

Location of the lake

Wright Patman Lake is a large lake in northeast Texas, United States. It is a special type of lake called a reservoir. This means it was created by building a dam across the Sulphur River. The lake helps control floods and saves water for communities nearby. It is also a popular spot for outdoor fun and activities. The lake is located in Bowie and Cass counties.

Where is Wright Patman Lake?

Wright Patman Lake is located where Bowie County and Cass County meet in Texas. Its center is about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Texarkana, Texas. It is also about 148 miles (238 km) east of Dallas. Small towns close to the lake include Redwater, Maud, and Douglassville, Texas.

The lake gets most of its water from the Sulphur River. However, several smaller creeks also flow into it. The normal water level of the lake is about 220.6 feet (67.2 meters) above sea level.

How Wright Patman Lake Was Made

Wright Patman Lake and its dam were planned as part of a law called the Flood Control Act of 1946. This law helped protect areas from floods. The lake was first called Texarkana Reservoir. Later, its name was changed to Lake Texarkana.

Building the dam started in 1948. The lake began to fill with water in 1953. In 1973, the lake and dam were renamed to honor Wright Patman. He was a important Congressman from Texas.

This picture shows the gates on the dam at Lake Texarkana while it was being built.

An aerial view of the Lake Texarkana Dam during its early building phase.

Protecting Against Floods

Wright Patman Lake plays a big role in stopping floods. It protects areas downstream along the Sulphur River and the Red River. The lake can hold a huge amount of flood water. It can store about 2,406,000 acre-feet (2.968 km³) of water. This is the space between its normal water level and its spillway level.

The spillway at Lake Wright Patman during a flood in 2015-2016.

The control center for the Lake Wright Patman dam gates.

This is a brass survey marker installed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1981.

The Lake Texarkana Emergency Spillway in the 1960s.

Fun Activities at the Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages nine parks around Wright Patman Lake. These parks offer many ways to enjoy the lake. You can go boating, swimming, and fishing. The parks also have places for camping, picnicking, and hiking. There are even trails for horseback riding. Atlanta State Park is another park located on the south side of the lake.

• Wright Patman Lake from the Handbook of Texas Online