How to Get There

Overview

DeGray Lake is a reservoir on the Caddo River constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Arkansas, 8 miles (13 km) from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 is located on the eastern shore of the lake, and provides access and views of the lake. DeGray Lake Resort State Park was opened in 1974 to encourage tourism and recreation on DeGray Lake.

The DeGray Dam project, encompassing flood-control, power, and water-supply features is located in northern Clark County, Arkansas on the Caddo River approximately eight miles above its confluence with the Ouachita River. The project plan for DeGray Lake included the construction of the DeGray Dam with a height of 240 feet above the Caddo River, a dike that splits the Caddo River and Bayou de Roche, an outlet works, an uncontrolled spillway, and a powerhouse.

Flora and fauna

DeGray Lake supports a variety of game and non-game wildlife. Squirrels and rabbits predominate as upland game. Deer, beaver, turkey, raccoon, armadillo, quail, and doves are found in moderate numbers. Very few waterfowl nest along the Caddo River, but the lake will provide a resting stop for migratory birds. A variety of songbirds with other birds, such as hawks, owl, herons, and vultures, are either permanent residents or migrate through the DeGray area. Bald eagles have been sighted on the lake during the winter months. The lake has inundated habitats that once supported deer, squirrel, beaver, and wild turkey. The hardwood forest is unique to the area, and this habitat will be preserved.

DeGray Lake, with 13,420 surfaces acres at full power pool has the potential for providing a substantial annual sport fishery. In addition to natural fisheries recruitment from original Caddo River populations, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission initiated a supplemental fish stocking program in 1969. Black bass, catfish, Red-ear, bluegill, crappie, and white bass were stocked followed by stockings of shad for forage supplement. To provide sport fishing variety and to supplement the predator population, exotic species (walleye, northern pike and muskellunge) were also stocked. Fish populations in DeGray Lake are still in the growth period and have not yet reached full potential. However, good bass, bream, and crappie fishing has been realized. Some catches of northern pike have been reported but the fate of the walleye and muskellunge stockings is unknown. Maintenance of the remaining downstream warm-water ecosystem is possible as a result of the multilevel intake structure in the dam. This structure can selectively withdraw water from a vertical range of nearly 60 feet, thereby allowing withdrawals to occur from strata of desired temperature. The 90-acre reregulating pool below most hydroelectric systems. As a result, smallmouth and rock bass, warmouth, red-ear, sunfish, and channel catfish are caught on the lower Caddo River.

Recreation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates nine campgrounds, two playgrounds, five swim areas, several miles of biking trails, five miles of hiking trails, as well as eleven boat ramps. DeGray Lake offers a variety of day use facilities and locations throughout the project. Pavilions are located at Hwy 7, Lower Lake, Caddo Drive, and Arlie Moore. The state park offers many recreational opportunities as well including interpretive tours at sunset, guided hikes, and many more interpretive activities.

Fishing

DeGray Lake is nationally known for its clean, clear water and pristine shoreline. It is also known for its trophy winning hybrid stripers, crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish.The Caddo River feeds the lake, making it a great habit for fish with numerous coves and fishing shelters along the bottom of the lake.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park

DeGray Lake Resort State Park is a 984-acre (398 ha) Arkansas state park in Clark and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas. Situated in the Ouachita Mountains, the park features the 13,800-acre (5,600 ha) DeGray Lake, the park features a championship rated 18 hole golf course and Arkansas's only state park resort. The United States Army Corps of Engineers began constructing DeGray Dam on the Caddo River in 1963, and support for a state park began growing shortly after. The park was created in 1974, and the resort and golf course were added by 1975.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "DeGray Lake", and "DeGray Lake Resort State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0