Sulphur River
Encyclopedia
The Sulphur River is a 175 miles (281.6 km) river
in northeast Texas
and southwest Arkansas
in the United States
.
, 95 miles (152.9 km) northeast of Dallas, and 16 miles (25.7 km) downstream from the Cooper Lake dam.
The river flows generally eastward through several Texas counties and provides most of the water for Wright Patman Lake
, on the border between Bowie
and Cass
counties. Below Wright Patman Dam
, the river continues its generally eastward flow to the Arkansas state line. The river flows southeastward through Miller County in southwestern Arkansas for 15 miles (24.1 km) until it joins the southbound Red River
east of Doddridge
, a few miles above the Louisiana
border.
Above Wright Patman Lake, the river has enough water for recreation most of the time. The flow is slow, and the river is murky, largely due to channelization upstream. Below Wright Patman Dam, the river flow depends on the amount of water being released from the dam; however, water quality is usually good.
Wright Patman Lake provides additional opportunities for camping, boating, swimming, and fishing.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in northeast Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and southwest Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Geography
The Sulphur River begins at the confluence of its north and south forks along the Delta–Lamar county line. This merger is about 4.7 miles (7.6 km) northeast of the town of Sulphur BluffSulphur Bluff, Texas
Sulphur Bluff is an unincorporated community in northeastern Hopkins County, Texas, United States. Its population was approximately 280 in 1990.The Sulphur Bluff Independent School District serves area students.-External links:...
, 95 miles (152.9 km) northeast of Dallas, and 16 miles (25.7 km) downstream from the Cooper Lake dam.
The river flows generally eastward through several Texas counties and provides most of the water for Wright Patman Lake
Wright Patman Lake
Wright Patman Lake is a reservoir in northeast Texas in the United States. The lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir formed on the Sulphur River in Bowie and Cass counties by Wright Patman Dam. The reservoir provides flood control and water conservation for the communities downstream...
, on the border between Bowie
Bowie County, Texas
Bowie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Texarkana, Texas - Texarkana, Arkansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 89,306. Its legal county seat is Boston, though its courthouse is located in New Boston...
and Cass
Cass County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,438 people, 12,190 households, and 8,654 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 13,890 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
counties. Below Wright Patman Dam
Wright Patman Dam
Wright Patman Dam is an earth-fill dam across the Sulphur River in northeast Texas in the United States. The water impounded by the dam forms Wright Patman Lake.-Geography:...
, the river continues its generally eastward flow to the Arkansas state line. The river flows southeastward through Miller County in southwestern Arkansas for 15 miles (24.1 km) until it joins the southbound Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
east of Doddridge
Doddridge, Arkansas
Doddridge is an unincorporated community in southern Miller County, Arkansas, United States, approximately five miles north of the Louisiana border. Doddridge is located at the junction of Arkansas Highway 160 and U.S. Route 71, and the southern terminus of Highway 549 , as well as the confluence...
, a few miles above the Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
border.
Recreation
The Sulphur River provides numerous opportunities for fishing, boating, and other activities.Above Wright Patman Lake, the river has enough water for recreation most of the time. The flow is slow, and the river is murky, largely due to channelization upstream. Below Wright Patman Dam, the river flow depends on the amount of water being released from the dam; however, water quality is usually good.
Wright Patman Lake provides additional opportunities for camping, boating, swimming, and fishing.