This land always seemed to be flooded -- so, in 1870, the State
of Texas acted on the people's petition, and authorized the
creation of Delta County. The residents soon formed their
own county government, which relieved them of the need to cross
large flooded areas to take care of county business.
Down through the years, the rivers continued to flood and, in
1926-27, the people attempted two different solutions. Those
along the North Sulphur pretty much solved their flooding
problems, but the South Sulphur continued to cause problems. It
wasn't until 1955 that any serious actions were taken.
I was born in the year 1924 and as far back as I can remember, the adults were discussing the need for a reservoir on the South Sulphue River, not just to contros flooding but to provide potable drinking water for the citizens of Delta County and surrounding areas. I remember living on the farm and the only water fit to use was rain caught in tanks as it drained from the roof tops. Some few people had deep wells but people livimng in the County Seat, Cooper, got their water from a shallow pool of water collected after each rain. This probllem continued down through the years and went from being a nuisance to a serious problem to a real crises. The local citizens were trying for years to get Congress to authorize a reservoir on the South Sulphur River as flood control and water supply. This plea continued for about thirty years with very little success and when there seemed to be a flicker of hope some environmentalist guy living in Dalllas, almost 100 miles from the town of Coopper, would file a lawsuit with a Federal Judge, William Wayne Justice in New Orleans Louisana. For reasons never known to me the judge kept upholding the injuction until he finally issued a permanent injuction agains building the dam.
By this time the citizens of Cooper, when they drew a quart of water from their tap would actually get one third quart of actual mud after the quart container set for about 30 minutes. The people were not only being treated worse than animals by the court of Mr. Justice, but were almost at the point of rebelling and taking the matter in their own hands.
NOTE: The above information is how I remember the situation while growing up in the area. What follows is the official information on how the lake came to be.
This county called Delta was so named and created on July 29,
1870. The name came from the shape of the county. The land
between the two rivers was in the shape of the fourth letter of
the Greek alphabet, hence, its name.
Finally the Corps of Engineers somehow got the jurisdiction moved out of the control of Mr. Justice and the application for a Dam was almost immediately approved.
The rolling hills of Cooper Lake State Park offer spectacular views of Cooper Lake, from the steeper hills of South Sulphur Unit to the more gradual slopes of the Doctor's Creek Unit. The park is centrally located to surrounding communities, including Paris, Cooper, Greenville, Sulphur Springs and Commerce as well as the urban centers of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Texarkana
History: Situated in northeastern Texas, Cooper Lake State Park is located in Delta and Hopkins Counties.
Cooper Lake State Park occupies land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is operated through a lease agreement. The park property was acquired in January 1991 and both parks opened in 1996. Located on land that is now beneath the waters of Cooper Lake are the traces of ancient people such as the Caddo Indians who came there thousands of years ago as well as those of more recent settlers and farmers who lived there in the 1800,s. Immigrants from Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas and Virginia altered the landscape by introducing agriculture and livestock.
By the 19th century, the area became known for its cotton and dairy production. Today a wide range of land and water based recreational opportunities have been established to provide resource-oriented outdoor experiences which are compatible with natural resource preservation.
Lake History: Situated in northeast Texas, The Cooper Lake Project was authorized in 1955 with embankment construction beginning in 1986. Located within the South Sulphur River watershed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the lake to help control flooding on the South Sulphur River, to serve as a water supply for towns in the area and to provide recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating. The lake covers about 19,000 acres and is surrounded by thousands of acres devoted to parks and wildlife management.
The lake has evolved into one of the best all around fishing lakes in the region growing in popularity among weekend anglers and Pro Guides alike. Species likely to be caught are Blue and Channel Catfish, Blue Gill, Florida Largemouth Bass, Crappie and Hybrid Striped Bass.
Activities: Features include camping, fishing ( Detailed Lake and Fish Information ), water skiing, picnicking, boating, unsupervised swimming, bird watching, nature study, fun and educational nature programs and tours. The South Sulphur Unit offers equestrian camping and horseback riding trails.
Doctors Creek Located on the northeast side of Cooper Lake, this cozy unit offers a variety of camping and outdoor opportunities. Facilities consist of 42 water and electric sites, 6 screened shelters 2 cottages, 1 restroom without showers and 1 restroom with showers, 6.2 miles of shoreline, a beautiful sandy beach and a 1 mile nature trail with one of 2 playgrounds nearby. There is an ADA approved 3-lane boat ramp, a fish cleaning table, a sand volleyball court and an outdoors amphitheater. To facilitate groups a picnic pavilion (capacity 50) is available for rent. A 2-3 mile hike/bike trail is currently under construction at the park. All RV and trailer sites have a minimum 55-foot concrete pad.
South Sulphur is Located on the south side of Cooper Lake, this sprawling 2,560 acre unit offers a multitude of camping and recreational opportunities. Facilities include 14 fully furnished lakeside cabins, 20 screened shelters, 1 premium screened shelter with air conditioning, 89 water and electric campsites, 15 walk-in tent camping sites, 20 water and electric equestrian campsites, two lighted fishing piers, two boat ramps, three picnic areas, a group pavilion (capacity 100), 7 shower/restroom facilities, a playground, a 5 mile hike/bike trail, a 10.5 mile equestrian trail, an outdoor amphitheater, a sand volleyball court, and a large sandy swimming beach. All RV and trailer sites have a minimum 55 foot concrete pad. A Texas State Park Store is located at the park.
The park is nestled in a junction of the eastern extension of the Tall Grass Prairies and Post Oak Savannah. While the flora of the site has been altered by previous human land practices and some resultant soil depletion, some flora communities are relatively intact and others have shown remarkable recovery. A partial plant list includes Post Oak, Winged Elm, Bois d' Arc, Texas Honey Locust, Mesquite, Eastern Red Cedar, Toothache Tree, Eastern Persimmon, Mexican Wild Plum, and Hickory. A variety of mammals may be seen the parks including, Grey Fox, Bobcat, Opossum, Beaver, Raccoon, White-tail Deer, Nine-Banded Armadillo, and Eastern Cottontail.
To reach Doctors Creek Unit, travel east from Commerce on State Highway 24 to Cooper, then from Cooper, east for 1 mile on State Highway 154, then south for 2 miles on FM 1529 to the park entrance; or north from Interstate 30 at Exit 122 on the west side of Sulphur Springs for 14 miles on State Highway 19, then west on County Road 4795 for 2 miles to the Corps of Engineers office, cross the lake dam and drive 1/2 mile further to the park entrance.
To reach South Sulphur Unit, travel north from Interstate 30 at Exit 122 on the west side of Sulphur Springs for 10 miles on State Highway 19, then west on State Highway 71 for 4 miles, then north for 1 mile on FM 3505 to the park entrance, or east from Commerce on State Highway 71 for 16 miles, then north for 1 mile on FM 3505 to the park entrance, or east from Cooper for 1 mile on State Highway 154, then south on FM 1529 for 5 miles ( cross the lake dam) to State Highway 19, then south for 5 miles to State Highway 71, then west for 4 miles to FM 3505, then north for 1 mile to the park entrance.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information: Elevation: 450. Rainfall: Average 42.7 annually. Weather: January average minimum 30; July average maximum 94. Open: There is no gate that closes. Day use hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both units are open 7 days a week, year-round. Office Hours: Both offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Area Attractions:Cooper Lake Wildlife Management Area. The Sam Bell Maxey House Historic Site, Bonham, and Lake Bob Sandlin State Parks, Southwest Dairy Center in Sulphur Springs, and Texas A & M University in Commerce.
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Current conditions including fire bans and water levels can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
Facilities:
Doctors Creek: Located on the northeast side of Cooper Lake, this cozy unit offers a variety of camping and outdoor opportunities. Facilities consist of 42 water and electric sites, 6 screened shelters 2 cottages, 1 restroom without showers and 1 restroom with showers, 6.2 miles of shoreline, a beautiful sandy beach and a 1 mile nature trail with one of 2 playgrounds nearby. There is an ADA approved 3-lane boat ramp, a fish cleaning table, a sand volleyball court and an outdoors amphitheater. To facilitate groups a picnic pavilion (capacity 50) is available for rent. A 2-3 mile hike/bike trail is currently under construction at the park. All RV and trailer sites have a minimum 55-foot concrete pad.
South Sulphur: Located on the south side of Cooper Lake, this sprawling 2,560 acre unit offers a multitude of camping and recreational opportunities. Facilities include 14 fully furnished lakeside cabins, 20 screened shelters, 1 premium screened shelter with air conditioning, 89 water and electric campsites, 15 walk-in tent camping sites, 20 water and electric equestrian campsites, two lighted fishing piers, two boat ramps, three picnic areas, a group pavilion (capacity 100), 7 shower/restroom facilities, a playground, a 5 mile hike/bike trail, a 10.5 mile equestrian trail, an outdoor amphitheater, a sand volleyball court, and a large sandy swimming beach. All RV and trailer sites have a minimum 55 foot concrete pad. A Texas State Park Store is located at the park.
Flora/Fauna: The park is nestled in a junction of the eastern extension of the Tall Grass Prairies and Post Oak Savannah. While the flora of the site has been altered by previous human land practices and some resultant soil depletion, some flora communities are relatively intact and others have shown remarkable recovery. A partial plant list includes Post Oak, Winged Elm, Bois d' Arc, Texas Honey Locust, Mesquite, Eastern Red Cedar, Toothache Tree, Eastern Persimmon, Mexican Wild Plum, and Hickory. A variety of mammals may be seen the parks including, Grey Fox, Bobcat, Opossum, Beaver, Raccoon, White-tail Deer, Nine-Banded Armadillo, and Eastern Cottontail.
To reach Doctors Creek Unit, travel east from Commerce on State Highway 24 to Cooper, then from Cooper, east for 1 mile on State Highway 154, then south for 2 miles on FM 1529 to the park entrance; or north from Interstate 30 at Exit 122 on the west side of Sulphur Springs for 14 miles on State Highway 19, then west on County Road 4795 for 2 miles to the Corps of Engineers office, cross the lake dam and drive 1/2 mile further to the park entrance.
To reach South Sulphur Unit, travel north from Interstate 30 at Exit 122 on the west side of Sulphur Springs for 10 miles on State Highway 19, then west on State Highway 71 for 4 miles, then north for 1 mile on FM 3505 to the park entrance, or east from Commerce on State Highway 71 for 16 miles, then north for 1 mile on FM 3505 to the park entrance, or east from Cooper for 1 mile on State Highway 154, then south on FM 1529 for 5 miles ( cross the lake dam) to State Highway 19, then south for 5 miles to State Highway 71, then west for 4 miles to FM 3505, then north for 1 mile to the park entrance.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information: Elevation: 450. Rainfall: Average 42.7 annually. Weather: January average minimum 30; July average maximum 94. Open: There is no gate that closes. Day use hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both units are open 7 days a week, year-round. Office Hours: Both offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Area Attractions:Cooper Lake Wildlife Management Area. The Sam Bell Maxey House Historic Site, Bonham, and Lake Bob Sandlin State Parks, Southwest Dairy Center in Sulphur Springs, and Texas A & M University in Commerce. Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Current conditions including fire bans and water levels can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
On August 3, 1955, by an act of Congress, Public Law 218,
Chapter 501, 84th Congress, in the first session, a dam was
authorized to be built on the South Sulphur River to control
flooding, provide a source of good water, and create a recreation
area and a wildlife refuge. It was many years later, however,
before the reservoir was finally built.
For 13 years, construction was held up due to injunctions filed by environmentalists. Finally, in 1987, a contract was awarded to construct the dam and a 700-foot uncontrolled spillway. The people on the South Sulphur finally had their solution to the flooding.
I still recall many memories from growing up in Delta County around the Sulphur River -- floods, the constant threat of tornados, hail storms, and what-have-you.
The old houses that we lived in were not very substantial -- they were called box houses, or single-wall construction. They were cold in the winter and hot in the summer. The only heat was from a wood-burning stove -- and since we cooked with wood-burning cooking stoves in the kitchen, that was our main source of heat. The nights were by far the worst because, in the winter, it was really cold at night, and in the summer, it was hot and humid, making it very difficult to get any rest.
At the time, since I didn't know any different, I was very happy. Some of the old houses were made of logs or part log. My sister was born in a partial log house which was usually better than some of the so-called frame houses, because the walls were thicker and offered more insulation.
Get your own Free Home Page
