20 facts about Lake Texoma

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Lake Texoma, the 12th largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake, is site of this week’s 2016 GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by Choctaw Casino Resort.
Lake Texoma, the 12th largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake, is site of this week’s 2016 GEICO Bassmaster BASSfest presented by Choctaw Casino Resort.
Finished in 1944 primarily as a flood control project, Denison Dam impounds the Red River on the Oklahoma-Texas border, creating an 89,000-surface acre reservoir. The lake, just an hour north of Dallas and 120 miles south of Oklahoma City, has 580 miles of shoreline.
Finished in 1944 primarily as a flood control project, Denison Dam impounds the Red River on the Oklahoma-Texas border, creating an 89,000-surface acre reservoir. The lake, just an hour north of Dallas and 120 miles south of Oklahoma City, has 580 miles of shoreline.
At its completion, Denison Dam was the “largest rolled-earth fill dam in the world.” Containing 18.8 million cubic yards of fill, the dam is 15,350 feet long and 165 feet high. It was built for flood control, power generation, conservation and recreation.
At its completion, Denison Dam was the “largest rolled-earth fill dam in the world.” Containing 18.8 million cubic yards of fill, the dam is 15,350 feet long and 165 feet high. It was built for flood control, power generation, conservation and recreation.
Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Okla., is the presenting sponsor of BASSfest as well as site of the 3:30 p.m. CT weigh-ins, June 8-12, and Bassmaster University on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The resort is offering a special rate for the week. Call 1-800-788-2464 and use the code BASSFEST16.
Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Okla., is the presenting sponsor of BASSfest as well as site of the 3:30 p.m. CT weigh-ins, June 8-12, and Bassmaster University on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The resort is offering a special rate for the week. Call 1-800-788-2464 and use the code BASSFEST16.
The BASSfest Outdoor Expo opens at the Choctaw Casino Resort at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon on Sunday. There is a military appreciation day on Friday with gifts for those with military ID. The expo will offer arts and crafts, kids’ activities, boat and motor demos and food and beverage vendors. The address is 3735 Choctaw Rd., Durant, Okla. 74701.
The BASSfest Outdoor Expo opens at the Choctaw Casino Resort at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon on Sunday. There is a military appreciation day on Friday with gifts for those with military ID. The expo will offer arts and crafts, kids’ activities, boat and motor demos and food and beverage vendors. The address is 3735 Choctaw Rd., Durant, Okla. 74701.
The Elite launch site is Dam Site Park on the south end of Denison Dam, Hwy. 91 at FM 1310. The Elites take off at 6:15 a.m. CT Wednesday-Friday and Sunday. Bassmaster University is Saturday. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
The Elite launch site is Dam Site Park on the south end of Denison Dam, Hwy. 91 at FM 1310. The Elites take off at 6:15 a.m. CT Wednesday-Friday and Sunday. Bassmaster University is Saturday. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
Eisenhower State Park, just west of the dam, is among the two state parks and 54 USACE-managed parks along Lake Texoma’s shores. The northern and southern reaches each terminate within a National Wildlife Refuge, Hagerman in Texas and Tishomingo in Oklahoma.
Eisenhower State Park, just west of the dam, is among the two state parks and 54 USACE-managed parks along Lake Texoma’s shores. The northern and southern reaches each terminate within a National Wildlife Refuge, Hagerman in Texas and Tishomingo in Oklahoma.
Lake Texoma is among the most developed lakes in the region. It attracts between 6 and 9 million visitors a year due to its size and proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Known simply as Texoma or Texomaland, the area is experiencing rapid growth because of tourism.
Lake Texoma is among the most developed lakes in the region. It attracts between 6 and 9 million visitors a year due to its size and proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Known simply as Texoma or Texomaland, the area is experiencing rapid growth because of tourism.
The dam, shown with floodgates open last June after record rains, has two 35,000 kilowatt generators. While it has helped significantly with flood control, recreation presents the lake’s greatest economic contribution as visitors come to boat, fish, camp and hike.
The dam, shown with floodgates open last June after record rains, has two 35,000 kilowatt generators. While it has helped significantly with flood control, recreation presents the lake’s greatest economic contribution as visitors come to boat, fish, camp and hike.
High water in Texoma has gone over the dam’s spillway, which is 640 feet above sea level, five times: 1957, 1990, 2007 and twice in 2015.
High water in Texoma has gone over the dam’s spillway, which is 640 feet above sea level, five times: 1957, 1990, 2007 and twice in 2015.
It was quite the spectacle last June as water rushing over the spillway and gushing through the floodgates drew crowds.
It was quite the spectacle last June as water rushing over the spillway and gushing through the floodgates drew crowds.
The Elites are visiting during high water, around 8 to 9 feet by most accounts. Here Elite pro Carl Jocumsen has a little fun by obeying the traffic signs in a flooded parking lot.
The Elites are visiting during high water, around 8 to 9 feet by most accounts. Here Elite pro Carl Jocumsen has a little fun by obeying the traffic signs in a flooded parking lot.
Bradley Roy, an Elite who also guides on deer hunts, said he didn’t see any fish around this tree stand or the feeder. “I'm used to hunting in the woods, not so much fishing,” he wrote.
Bradley Roy, an Elite who also guides on deer hunts, said he didn’t see any fish around this tree stand or the feeder. “I’m used to hunting in the woods, not so much fishing,” he wrote.
James Niggemeyer shows that recent rains have muddied the water, making it look like he was sitting in red mud. It is the Red River.
James Niggemeyer shows that recent rains have muddied the water, making it look like he was sitting in red mud. It is the Red River.
There have been at least seven B.A.S.S. events on Lake Texoma, including the 1979 Bassmaster Classic. Hank Parker won that event based out of Pottsboro, Okla., by catching 31 pounds even. The winner of the first event on Texoma, the 1975 All-American, was John Pryor.
There have been at least seven B.A.S.S. events on Lake Texoma, including the 1979 Bassmaster Classic. Hank Parker won that event based out of Pottsboro, Okla., by catching 31 pounds even. The winner of the first event on Texoma, the 1975 All-American, was John Pryor.
Mike Pharr is the most recent B.A.S.S. pro winner on Texoma, taking the Bass Pro Shops Central Open in October 2010, with 27-4.
Mike Pharr is the most recent B.A.S.S. pro winner on Texoma, taking the Bass Pro Shops Central Open in October 2010, with 27-4.
Oklahoman and former Elite Terry Butcher won the 2008 Central Open there with 46-8.
Oklahoman and former Elite Terry Butcher won the 2008 Central Open there with 46-8.
Brian Clark went home to Haltom City, Texas, with the 2007 Central Open title after totaling 40-3. Other winners on Texoma include Jeff Kriet (1998) and George Cochran (1993) in Oklahoma Invitationals.
Brian Clark went home to Haltom City, Texas, with the 2007 Central Open title after totaling 40-3. Other winners on Texoma include Jeff Kriet (1998) and George Cochran (1993) in Oklahoma Invitationals.
On Saturday, as a group of Elites inform at Bassmaster University, members of the High School All-American team will compete as well as Carhartt College Wild Card anglers. The high school weigh-in will be at 2:30 p.m. and the final day Carhartt College Wild Card weigh-in will be at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, as a group of Elites inform at Bassmaster University, members of the High School All-American team will compete as well as Carhartt College Wild Card anglers. The high school weigh-in will be at 2:30 p.m. and the final day Carhartt College Wild Card weigh-in will be at 4 p.m.
Sometime around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, long before the suns sets on the day, the BASSfest winning pro will receive his trophy, $100,000 and an automatic berth into the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
Sometime around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, long before the suns sets on the day, the BASSfest winning pro will receive his trophy, $100,000 and an automatic berth into the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.