DeGray Lake
Encyclopedia
DeGray Lake is a reservoir
on the Caddo River
, 8 miles (13 km) from Arkadelphia. DeGray Lake offers a huge span of recreational area and spectacular views. Arkansas Scenic Byway 7
is located on the eastern shore of the lake, and provides views of the lake, and also places to stay down the road.
of Arkansas
, Texas
, and Oklahoma
. DeGray dam impounds the waters of the Caddo River to form a flood control lake that covers 13400 acres (5,422.8 ha), and a shoreline of 207 miles (333 km).
Many of the long-time residents recall families in the area who were "bought out" in order to fill area behind the dam. Residents were offered money for their property, so that the lake could be built. The eventual damming of the Caddo River forced many people to move elsewhere in the area. Brick and concrete structures from former homesteads still stand on the bottom of the lake.
then came and explored this area in 1541, after discovering hot springs
. The Caddo Indians' way of life was changed forever when coming in contact with the Spanish explorers; the Indians were introduced to the horse. In the 18th century French fur trappers brought trade to the area with their extensive trapping methods. DeGray Lake was in fact named after a French fur trader, DeGraff, who settled this region. Several artifacts have been found near the dam site, and many have been brought to a local university, Henderson State University
.
offers resort amenities combined with the outdoor adventures of an Arkansas state park. This state park is one of Arkansas' most popular parks, offering fishing and water sports, campgrounds for both tent and RV camping, and an 18-hole golf course. The 94-room DeGray Lodge and Convention center is also available for family reunions, retreats, board meeting, conventions and stunning lake front weddings. The Shoreline Restaurant and DeGray Day Spa are located at the lodge.
DeGray's challenging 18-hole championship-rated public course stretches 7,100 yards (6,500 m). The course offers opportunities to view the birds and other wildlife that abound here. The front nine offers wide, expansive fairways with elevated, undulating and sloping greens, tee boxes and hidden water hazards. The back nine are carved out of the woodlands leaving little room for stray shots. The course offers a driving range, practice green, chipping area and lessons, from the blue tees the course is 7,100 yards (6,500 m), from the white-6,560 yards (6,000 m), gold-6,200 yards (5,700 m) and red-5,800 yards (5,300 m). The course rating is 72.7 and the slope is 134. Water comes into play on seven holes. The Pro Shop offers a snack bar, cart and club rentals, golf equipment and a wide selection of brand name golf apparel and accessories for purchase.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on the Caddo River
Caddo River
The Caddo River is a tributary of the Ouachita River in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The river is about long altogther.-Course:The Caddo River flows out of the Ouachita Mountains through Montgomery, Pike, and Clark counties in Arkansas before flowing into DeGray Lake and then to its terminus at the...
, 8 miles (13 km) from Arkadelphia. DeGray Lake offers a huge span of recreational area and spectacular views. Arkansas Scenic Byway 7
Arkansas State Highway 7
Arkansas Highway 7 is a north–south state highway that runs across the state. The route runs from the Louisiana Highway 558 at the Louisiana state line north to Diamond City near the Missouri state line. With the exception of the segment north of Harrison, Highway 7 has been designated as one of...
is located on the eastern shore of the lake, and provides views of the lake, and also places to stay down the road.
Overview
DeGray lake and dam were authorized by Congress in the River and Harbor Act of 1950. Congress passed the Water Supply Act of 1958, which provided for the inclusion of municipal and industrial water supply as one of the project purposes. Construction on the dam began in 1962 and was completed in 1972 at a cost of $63,800,000. A 40 MW hydraulic turbine and a 28 MW turbine generate electricity for the Southwestern Power AdministrationSouthwestern Power Administration
The Southwestern Power Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. Southwestern's mission was established by Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944. The agency is a power marketing administration responsible for marketing the hydroelectric power produced at 24 U.S. Army...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. DeGray dam impounds the waters of the Caddo River to form a flood control lake that covers 13400 acres (5,422.8 ha), and a shoreline of 207 miles (333 km).
Many of the long-time residents recall families in the area who were "bought out" in order to fill area behind the dam. Residents were offered money for their property, so that the lake could be built. The eventual damming of the Caddo River forced many people to move elsewhere in the area. Brick and concrete structures from former homesteads still stand on the bottom of the lake.
History
The history of the DeGray area dates back to AD 700 when the area was inhabited by the Caddo Indians. Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto (explorer)
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who, while leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States, was the first European documented to have crossed the Mississippi River....
then came and explored this area in 1541, after discovering hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
. The Caddo Indians' way of life was changed forever when coming in contact with the Spanish explorers; the Indians were introduced to the horse. In the 18th century French fur trappers brought trade to the area with their extensive trapping methods. DeGray Lake was in fact named after a French fur trader, DeGraff, who settled this region. Several artifacts have been found near the dam site, and many have been brought to a local university, Henderson State University
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park
Situated on the north shore of 13800 acres (5,584.7 ha) DeGray Lake, this recreational retreat in the foothills of the Ouachita MountainsOuachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S...
offers resort amenities combined with the outdoor adventures of an Arkansas state park. This state park is one of Arkansas' most popular parks, offering fishing and water sports, campgrounds for both tent and RV camping, and an 18-hole golf course. The 94-room DeGray Lodge and Convention center is also available for family reunions, retreats, board meeting, conventions and stunning lake front weddings. The Shoreline Restaurant and DeGray Day Spa are located at the lodge.
DeGray's challenging 18-hole championship-rated public course stretches 7,100 yards (6,500 m). The course offers opportunities to view the birds and other wildlife that abound here. The front nine offers wide, expansive fairways with elevated, undulating and sloping greens, tee boxes and hidden water hazards. The back nine are carved out of the woodlands leaving little room for stray shots. The course offers a driving range, practice green, chipping area and lessons, from the blue tees the course is 7,100 yards (6,500 m), from the white-6,560 yards (6,000 m), gold-6,200 yards (5,700 m) and red-5,800 yards (5,300 m). The course rating is 72.7 and the slope is 134. Water comes into play on seven holes. The Pro Shop offers a snack bar, cart and club rentals, golf equipment and a wide selection of brand name golf apparel and accessories for purchase.