ANNOUNCEMENTS
We continue strong efforts to gain support and obtain federal funding for updates to the Corps of Engineers Lake Texoma 1976 Environmental Impact Statement, 1978 Master Plan and1996 Shoreline Management Plan and to address other issues and improvements indicated on this web site.
  • Texas and Oklahoma federal, state and local representatives and officials.
  • Lake Texoma area businesses and organizations.
  • Boaters, fishermen, hunters, other recreational and wildlife enthusiasts and their organizations.
  • Be involved, you can make a difference!

HOT ISSUES
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Oklahoma Lake Texoma State Park (Oklahoma Land Conveyance) EIS Scoping Report Summary, See Appendices for project descriptions and public comments.
Go button Eagles at Lake Texoma
Witness the evolution of a cove under development.
Supplement to Lake Texoma Environmental Impact Statement is Required
Why We Are Losing Prime Boating, Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Recreation Areas?
What Can We Do About the Issues?
Who to Write to?
Little Mineral EIS (Denison Land Conveyance) Scoping Report Summary, See Appendix D for proposed development drawings and Public Scoping Comments in Appendix F.

Overview – Lake Levels, Chloride and  Water Quality

 

The Lake Texoma recreation enthusiasts and industry rely heavily on the conditions of the lake including lake levels, water quality, clarity and productivity.

We are very concerned that the Lake Texoma economic engine is being seriously threatened by continuing piecemeal efforts to eliminate or complete major reductions of chloride in the Red River and Lake Texoma and to use their scarce waters to provide residential, irrigation farming and industrial water supply needs along the four-state Red River watershed. We have been trying to address these issues for several years and need support to balance the economic benefits of water supply and the Lake Texoma economic engine and recreation industries.

We are aware of the Corps of Engineers position on the purposes of Lake Texoma, i.e. flood control, hydroelectric power, water supply and recreation to a lesser degree. However, we continue to point out the increasing importance of recreation and the associated Lake Texoma economic engine to the economies of southern Oklahoma and North Texas. We strongly recommend that recreation and tourism be provided more consideration to ensure the future viability of Lake Texoma.
 
 
Lake Levels and Chloride Control

We have two fundamental problems with unreasonable objectives of major water supply demands and chloride reduction or elimination. The first is that there simply isn’t enough water in the Red River to satisfy hydroelectric power and multiple water supply requirements without finding other water sources, water recycling and reclamation, and significant water conservation results by water users in other areas.

Excessive and cumulative demands for water supplies can cause significantly reduced lake use when the lake levels drop to 612 msl such as approximately 50 percent of the boat launching ramps can no longer be used and boats cannot be moved out of several boat dock/slips. Lake levels below 612 msl can cause major loss of recreation and tourism for Lake Texoma having a very serious and negative impact on individual boater, fishermen and businesses.

The second fundamental problem is that the elimination or major reduction of chloride in the Red River will cause irrevocable harm to the Red River and Lake Texoma ecosystem and the Lake Texoma economic engine.

How does Chloride Control Relate to Lake Texoma? In layman terms, turbidity or muddy appearing water is caused by suspended clay and other particulates and sediments. Increased turbidity decreases sunlight penetration and the biological productivity of the entire food chain from microscopic organisms up to black bass, crappie, sand bass, catfish and large striped bass. Elevated chloride levels in the Red River significantly reduce turbidity in Lake Texoma and increase productivity of the ecosystem.

Lake Texoma is one of the only lakes with enough salt content to encourage natural reproduction and replenishment of record size striped bass. According to fishery and other professionals, what makes Lake Texoma so alive and fish-friendly is the salt content and nutrients that come into the lake. Nutrients cause plankton, shad eat plankton, and more plankton means more shad and bigger fish of all kinds. Salt (chloride) promotes healthy fish and the healing process along with slime renewal on caught fish. Lake Texoma is known world-wide for its very large striped bass fishery. Less well known is that Lake Texoma has record size small mouth bass as well and is becoming a fishing destination for U.S. anglers seeking these bass as well. 

Water clarity is also considerably improved with the presence of elevated chlorides which make Lake Texoma more attractive and aesthetically pleasing for all types of recreation such as boating, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing. An example of poor water clarity is Lake Eufala in eastern Oklahoma near McAlester. Recreation and fishing on the large muddy appearing portions of Lake Eufala do not attract the normal numbers of people. They travel to other lakes with clearer and more productive water.

Water Quality
 
The conditions of the lake including lake levels, water quality, clarity and productivity are critical to the short and long term health of Lake Texoma. Water quality is essential for fish and wildlife, public water supplies and water contact sports.

We need to maintain awareness of the following factors and take proactive action as necessary. We ask your support and involvement to help.