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

Chance Rain Showers

Hi: 46

Tuesday Night

Rain Showers

Lo: 44

Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Hi: 50

Wednesday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 24

Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 39

Thursday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 30

Friday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 51

Friday Night

Chance Rain Showers

Lo: 48


Lake Texoma Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 2/11: 614.55 (-2.45)



Lake Texoma

Fishing Report from TPWD (Feb. 5)

FAIR. Water stained; 48 degrees; 1.71 feet below pool. Striper fishing has slowed down with the water levels dropping and the extreme change in weather. Look at humps, ledges, and structure in 15-30 feet of water, as well as deep water on ledges and river channels in 55–65 feet of water, using flukes while drifting to cover water. Look for bigger fish to move up into coves and shallow water, chasing big gizzard shad throughout the day. Crappie are on brush and structure in 18–25 feet of water, but target shallower water on warmer days as fish start to move toward creeks and coves on the lake. To target bass, focus on rocks and structures that hold baitfish in warmer water. Use a slow presentation, covering different depths off drop-offs and ledges in 8–15 feet of water. Catfishing is picking up. Look for big blues in shallow water near river inlets, especially with the recent rains and big gizzard shad pulling into the muddy, warmer water. Anchor fish with gizzard shad and cut heads off the bottom in 5–15 feet of water. In creek channels off flats, drift fish in 20–30 feet of water. .Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Guaranteed Guide Service. Striped bass are excellent on structure in 10-25 feet of water with Alabama rigs and swimbaits. Some fish can be caught deadsticking. There is no bird action. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.

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