Originally a natural lake, its surface and capacity have been increased through the construction of dams.
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake at a Glance
Lake Measurements
- Surface Area (in acres)
- 26,138
- Storage Capacity (in acre-feet)
- 129,000
Belongs to
Caddo Lake is part of or belongs to the following places.
Lake Maintained or Owned by
Northeast Texas Municipal Water District
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Date of Origin
1873 149 years agoCurrently Exists
Yes
Place type
Caddo Lake is classified as a Lake
Purposes
- Conservation
- Recreation
- Municipal water supply
Photos of Caddo Lake and surrounding areas
Cypress trees at Caddo Lake
Photo by Thomas and Dianne Jones, CC by 2.0
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Official History of Caddo Lake
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas , a digital state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records
Caddo Lake is impounded by Caddo Dam in the Cypress Creek basin in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and extends into Harrison and Marion counties, Texas; the center of the lake is located twenty-nine miles northeast of Marshall (at 30°42' N, 97°20' W). The lake, named for the Caddo Indians, was one of the largest natural lakes in the South prior to the construction of the dam. According to Caddo legend the lake was formed by an earthquake caused by a Caddo chief's failure to obey the Great Spirit. The more prosaic explanation of the lake's origin is that it was formed behind a log jam in the Red River. In 1874 the United States government destroyed the log jam, or Red River Raft, as it was called (see RED RIVER).
Continue Reading at the Handbook of TexasSeth D. Breeding, Sallie Starr Lentz | © Texas State Historical Association