   
|
|
|
|
Welcome To Possum Kingdom Lake - The Great Lake of Texas
Nestled in the foothills of the Palo Pinto mountains less than 75 miles west of Forth Worth, Possum Kingdom is The Great Lake of Texas. More than 18,000 acres of crystal clear water, a Texas oasis surrounded by beautiful cliffs and rolling hillsides. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or staying for a lifetime, Possum Kingdom Lake has the amenities and services to meet your every need, from first-class dining and resorts to some of the finest marinas and golf courses in Texas. (Courtesy of the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce)
Possum Kingdom Lake History
Impoundment of Possum Kingdom Lake began in 1941 with the completion of Morris Shephard Dam, which was accomplished under the depression-era agency, WPA. The dam was built primarily for water conservation and flood control, although it does have two generators. The dam is 2,740 feet long and stands at 190 feet high. The construction is unique with buttressed arched wings with adjoining earth embankment on either side of the nine spillway gates rather than the usual filled concrete.
The dam was named for United States Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas. Construction of the dam started on May 28, 1938 under the authority of the Brazos River Conservation and Reclamation District (now known as the Brazos River Authority). The dam was completed on March 20, 1941 at a cost of $9,000,000 by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal recovery agency.
The lake was filled within three months, submerging what was left of Pickwick, a small town located within the Possum Kingdom's boundaries. When the lake level dips, a rock chimney from Pickwick can still be seen.
Possum Kingdom Lake has a capacity of 724,700 acre-feet, a surface area of 19,800 acres, and a shoreline of 310 miles. The Morris Sheppard Dam impounds 1,500,000 acre-feet of water annually for municipal, industrial, mining, irrigation, flood-control, recreational and power-generation uses. Area hills and valleys, post oaks, and cedars make a "veritable paradise" for possums around the lake.
Aside from the scenic beauty around Possum Kingdom Lake, you'll find the Possum Kingdom State Park, public and private boat ramps, gas docks, camping facilities, marinas, lodges and cabins, grocery and package liquor stores, real estate companies, churches, boat dock builders, construction companies, a variety of dining options, and a handful of businesses that support the lake community. Possum Kingdom even has two landing strips for private planes - one located in Sportsman's World and the other serves the east side of the lake.
The lake has many events and activities throughout the year - the most lively include the local Mardi Gras Celebration (March), the Hell's Gate Fireworks Show (July), and Possum Fest (October).
Possum Kingdom Reservoir Facts:
- Drainage area above the dam is 22,550 square miles of which 9,240 are non-contributing
- The dam is 2,747 feet long and has a maximum height of 189 feet
- The spillway is 987 feet above mean sea level
- The average output of the dam's power-generating plant is estimated at 73,000,000 KWH.
- The lake and reservoir are currently owned and operated by the Brazos River Authority (BRA)
- When full, there is enough water in the lake to cover approximately 570,000 acres one-foot deep
- The lake is 65 miles long and 3.5 miles wide
- The shoreline is 310 miles and consists of sandy beaches, rock cliffs and mountains
The Story of Hell's Gate
According to local legend, Hell's Gate got its name in the early 1800's from an incident involving fur traders traveling down the Brazos, and Comanche Indians camped in the area. After spending several unproductive days trying to trade beads and trinkets for the Comanche's finest pelts, the traders broke out their cheap whiskey to help break the impasse in the negotiations. The tribe overindulged and soon passed out, and the traders loaded up their pack animals with the Indian's furs and stole away into the night.
With the rugged terrain and their pack animals overloaded, the traders had covered only a few miles before the Comanches sobered up and set off in pursuit. With the Indians closing in, the traders found themselves trapped at a point high above the Brazos where the limestone cliff is cut by a tributary creek flowing into the river.
One of the traders, preferring the rocks two hundred feet below to the treatment he would receive from the irate Comanches, swore as he leapt from the cliff that he would rather go through the Gates of Hell than return the stolen furs to the Indians. Every since, that spot on the Brazos has been known as Hell's Gate (shown at right).
Hell's Gate is one of the most striking features on the lake and is a local landmark. The scene of many summertime boating parties, Hell's Gate is a natural break in the cliffs through which Jowell Creek flows into the Brazos River. Impoundment of Possum Kingdom Lake created a beautiful cove "behind the Gate," now very popular for boaters and swimmers.
|
|
|
|
Possum Kingdom Lake 
;){kind=link}