Meet The "Other" Mystery Dam on Lake Texoma




Let's face it, Lake Texoma is big. It's so big that there are many different "neighborhoods" to explore, whether you're just visiting the lake or seriously looking for a lake place to call your own. Although the Denison Dam is well known as the primary reason the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas swelled into the lake we all love today, there is actually another dam, or so it's rumored. Our mystery dam has a neighborhood all its own. But, first things first. The Denison Dam was built during the second world war, completed in 1944, and at that time it was the largest earth-filled dam in America. It eventually lost that status (now it's number 12) but it serves as flood control as well as a hydro-electric power generator, and, as many fisherman will tell you, a great place to fish. The Denison Dam is accessed by Highway 91, off Highway 75 at Denison, Texas. So, where is that other, mystery dam on Lake Texoma located? Actually, the Army Corps of Engineers calls it a levee, not a dam. But fisherman call it a dam, hence the confusion. And it's really two levees (dams) not one, just to confuse the issue a little more. The Cumberland Levee North and the Cumberland Levee South are located at the far north end of Lake Texoma, off Hwy 78, west of Fort Washita in Bryan County, Oklahoma. They control flooding in the area, which the Corps describes as "high risk," and serve as a significant component of the flood control purposes of Lake Texoma, augmenting the larger purposes of the Denison Dam. There's a little town called Cumberland that is located west of Lake Texoma in Marshall County, Oklahoma, in the general area as well. And, the partially restored ruins of old Fort Washita, unused since the Civil War period, are maintained by the Oklahoma Historical Society and open to the public, east of the levees. So, there you have it. You are in the know regarding the "other" dam on Lake Texoma. Don't let anyone (except the Army Corps of Engineers of course) tell you that there's only one dam on Lake Texoma. Now you know better!




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Lake Texoma Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Texoma Weather Forecast

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 71

Tuesday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 53

Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 78

Wednesday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 66

Thursday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 82

Thursday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 68

Friday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 82

Friday Night

Rain Showers Likely

Lo: 66


Lake Texoma Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 4/15: 615.66 (-1.34)



Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Apr. 9)

FAIR. Water stained; 60 degrees; 2.12 feet below pool. Striper fishing is about to break loose on live bait as we get closer to the shad spawn and the water temps hitting 60. Plenty of fish being caught on flats and ledges in 25-45 feet of water, bigger fish will hopefully finish their spawn this weekend with the full moon. Find dirty warmer water near the ends of the lake and look at points in shallow water for spawning fish. Look for crappie in the creeks with inflow and watch the rising water temps this week. Fish will be on shallow flats and points near spawning areas, jigs and minnows are productive. Dark colors in muddy water, light colors near docks and structure in clear water. Catfishing is up and down with the weather and lake levels. Fish flats off of the river channels in 25-45 feet of water with whole shad or rough fish. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is picking up. Look for brush and structure near docks and marinas, fish will be staged up and reactive to hard baits or plastics. Water temperatures will climb quickly this week as we get near the full moon and warmer days. Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Texoma, Guaranteed Guide Service. The lake is on the rise, so navigate with caution watching for floating debris. Striped bass are good with swimbaits on structure in 3-25 feet of water. When birds are active, cast swimbaits into the schooling stripers beneath in 30-70 feet of water. The slab bite will start soon. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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