SPORTS
OUTDOORS: Lake Wichita will be restored
Lake Wichita is the third-oldest reservoir in the state of the Texas, constructed in 1901, and there’s a plan to bring it back to life.
The lake has provided irrigation, flood control, power generation, a municipal water supply and recreation for the Wichita Falls area.
Lake Wichita originally covered 2,200 acres, but the lake is almost dry these days. The lake has been battered by a current drought, siltation and the lowering of the spillway.
There’s also Lake Wichita Park, a 234-acre area with sports fields and picnicking areas.
As the lake declined, so did public usage.
It was once known as “The Gem of North Texas,” attracting thousands of visitors annually. The lake once had a three-story hotel and a pavilion, which was demolished in 1955.
Lake Wichita sits on the southern edge of the city, and is in need of new life.
“It has some water, but it’s very shallow,” said Tom Lang, district biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Tumbleweeds in the lake bottom, hundreds of yards from shore, indicate just how shallow it is.”
Lang reported the lake has been devoid of fish since a kill three years ago.
In 2013, the Wichita Falls City Council appointed a committee to study the lake and develop recommendations for recreational and non-recreational uses.
Public sentiment urges for the lake to be resuscitated. Residents expressed strong interest in fishing, jogging, boating, wildlife watching and other pursuits as possibilities. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.
This photo shows the plight of Lake Wichita, which has dried up after drought and little attention. A reported restoration will be taking place soon to remedy that. (Courtesy photo)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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