Lake O' the Pines, Texas
Lake O' the Pines, formed by the Ferrells Bridge Dam, is a reservoir on the Big Cypress Bayou in the Piney Woods of East Texas. The Lake got its name because of its location in the heart of the Piney Woods region. This reservoir was built in 1959 to provide flood control in Oklahoma's Red River Basin below Denison Dam. The Lake offers clear, tranquil waters, superb on-the-water camping, little boat traffic, and decent fishing opportunities. Numerous parks and campsites, undulating hills covered in pine trees, and little residences are situated along the beautiful Lake.
Geography Of Lake O' The Pines
Lake O' The Pines is an 18,680-acre reservoir located mainly in Marion County and partially in Harrison, Upshur, Morris, and Camp Counties, of the US State of Texas. It is tucked in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Lake O' The Pines is situated on the Cypress River Basin, also called Big Cypress Bayou, where it gets most of its water supply. The Red River and the Big Cypress Bayou converge about 81 miles upstream of Lake O' The Pines. The Texas cities that are closest to Lake O' The Pines include Avinger, Dangerfield, Jefferson, Lone Star, and Ore City. The lake has a shoreline that extends over 144 miles, with an average depth of 13 ft and a maximum depth of 50 ft. The dam consists of two gates (8 ft x 12.5 ft each), two conduits (10 ft in diameter), and an earth-fill embankment (10,600 ft long and 97 ft high). Water supply storage measures 279,900 acre-ft, while flood control storage measures 587,200 acre-ft. There are 34 recreation areas covering around 758 acres of the lake.
Brief History Of Lake O' The Pines
About 81 miles upstream from the bayou's confluence with the Red River, on the Big Cypress Bayou, the Ferrells Bridge Dam was built, resulting in the formation of Lake O' the Pines. The reservoir was built as part of a larger flood control plan in Oklahoma's Red River Basin below Denison Dam. Lake O' The Pines was approved by the Flood Control Act of 1946. Additional aims for wildlife conservation, recreation, and water supply were added during construction. The construction of the Ferrells Bridge Dam began in January 1955 and was completed on December 11, 1959, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fishing At Lake O' The Pines
According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, the different fish population in this lake provides various angling opportunities. Largemouth, spotted, and white bass, blue, channel, and flathead catfish, white and black crappie, redear sunfish, and chain pickerel are some of the most common fish species. Bowfin, carp, gar, redbreast, warmouth sunfish, and trout are some additional fish species also found in the lake. There is a regulation at this lake that states there is no minimum length requirement for crappie that are taken between December 1 and the final day of February. Every crappie caught must be kept, and the daily bag limit is 25 of any combination of black and white crappie. Crappie has a minimum length requirement of 10 inches and a daily bag limit of 25 during the other months. For all other fishes, statewide regulations are in effect.
Significant Developments At Lake O' The Pines
Eight cities and villages, numerous rural water agencies, several steel producers, and electricity generators all receive water from Lake O' the Pines. The lake is a valuable resource for irrigation as well as the logging industry, as well as for agricultural businesses like the poultry, dairy, and cattle industries. The Texas Commission on Environmental Equality (TCEQ) discovered in 2000 that the Lake O' the Pines' dissolved oxygen levels were not ideal for maintaining fish and other aquatic organisms. The TCEQ responded to this issue by implementing a project that aimed to minimize chemicals that require oxygen and enhance aquatic life's water quality conditions.
Recreational Activities In Lake O' The Pines
Boating
For one's Lake O' The Pines trip, numerous boat rental companies operate. Most boat launches charge a launch fee. Along with ramps in the developed park areas, the USACE provides five free ramps. One can use a kayak or canoe to gain access to some of the upper, shallow regions of the lake.
Rental Cabins
Consider renting a cabin or vacation home near Lake O' Pines. Cabin rentals are widely available from parks, marinas, and neighborhood homeowners. One can rent a vacation house of any size with a variety of bedrooms, a pool, and other amenities, all the way down to a modest one-bedroom cabin. Others are near beaches, in marinas, or resorts. Some vacation houses are on the riverfront or have a lake view. The sizes of cabins also vary widely.
Camping
Excellent camping is available all-around Lake O' The Pines. The impressive pine trees that tower far into the sky surround the 18,680-acre Lake O' The Pines. Spend the night camping and enjoy the stunning sunrises and sunsets. Numerous parks offer RV sites, tent sites with hookups, and undeveloped camping areas. The USACE manages 24 campgrounds with various services such as restrooms, cleaning stations, live bait, parking, courtesy docks, petroleum, picnic spaces, and swimming beaches.
Hiking
The entire lake is encircled by the Lake O' The Pines Loop, which has multiple trailheads. Around Lake O' The Pines, numerous other trails offer wonderful wildlife viewing and bird watching opportunities.
One of East Texas' most stunning lakes is Lake O' the Pines, distinguished by its enormous palm trees and remote location, miles away from the chaos of any city. One will experience fantastic stargazing through the pines at night. This stunning lake in East Texas is perfect if one wants to experience a lake and escape from all the hustle and bustle.
