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Cooper Lake State Park
Doctors Creek Unit |
Cooper Lake State Park Doctors Creek Unit
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Doctors Creek Unit
1664 Farm Rd. 1529 South
Cooper TX 75432
903/395-3100
South Sulphur Unit
Rt. 3 Box 741
Sulphur Springs TX 75482
903/945-5256
Due to low lake levels, the boat ramps at South Sulphur, Doctors Creek, Tira,
and Johns Creek are currently closed. The swimming areas at South Sulphur and
Doctors Creek are closed. Please contact the park for the most up-to-date
information regarding the lake levels.
History: Cooper Lake State Park, 3,026 acres, is situated in northeast Texas.
The park consists of two units, Doctors Creek Unit, 715.5 acres, located in
Delta County, and South Sulphur Unit, 2,310.5 acres, located in northern Hopkins
County. Cooper Lake, 19,300 acres, is a young lake; embankment construction on
the South Sulphur River began in 1986. Lake construction was completed in the
fall of 1991 and impoundment began on September 28, 1991. The park property was
acquired in January 1991 and opened for boat access in November 1992. Doctors
Creek Unit opened January 3, 1996; South Sulphur Unit opened April 27, 1996.
Both park units are leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 25 years.
The rolling hills of Cooper Lake State Park offer spectacular views of Cooper
Lake, from the steeper hills of South Sulphur Unit to the more gradual slopes of
the Doctor's Creek Unit. The park is centrally located to surrounding
communities, including Paris, Cooper, Greenville, Sulphur Springs and Commerce
as well as the urban centers of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Texarkana
Situated in northeastern Texas, Cooper Lake State Park is located in Delta and
Hopkins Counties. Cooper Lake State Park occupies land owned by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and is operated through a lease agreement. The park property
was acquired in January 1991 and both parks opened in 1996. Located on land that
is now beneath the waters of Cooper Lake are the traces of ancient people such
as the Caddo Indians who came there thousands of years ago as well as those of
more recent settlers and farmers who lived there in the 1800,s. Immigrants from
Tennessee, Kentucky, the Carolinas and Virginia altered the landscape by
introducing agriculture and livestock. By the 19th century, the area became
known for its cotton and dairy production. Today a wide range of land and water
based recreational opportunities have been established to provide
resource-oriented outdoor experiences which are compatible with natural resource
preservation.
Lake History: Situated in northeast Texas, The Cooper Lake Project was
authorized in 1955 with embankment construction beginning in 1986. Located
within the South Sulphur River watershed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built
the lake to help control flooding on the South Sulphur River, to serve as a
water supply for towns in the area and to provide recreational opportunities
such as fishing and boating. The lake covers about 19,000 acres and is
surrounded by thousands of acres devoted to parks and wildlife management. The
lake has evolved into one of the best all around fishing lakes in the region
growing in popularity among weekend anglers and Pro Guides alike. Species likely
to be caught are Blue and Channel Catfish, Blue Gill, Florida Largemouth Bass,
Crappie and Hybrid Striped Bass.
Activities: Features include camping, fishing, water skiing, picnicking,
boating, unsupervised swimming, bird watching, nature study, fun and educational
nature programs and tours. The South Sulphur Unit offers equestrian camping and
horseback riding trails. |
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