COUNTY LIFE

Fun in the sun, household water; Amon Carter filling many needs

Published

9 years ago

09/07/2016

A fisherman enjoys an afternoon fishing near the tunnel that connects Amon Carter Lake to Bowie Reservoir. (Photo by Barbara Green)

This is part of the ongoing Bowie News’ Build a Better Bowie series featuring assets of the community focusing on development and discussion.
By BARBARA GREEN
“Water is the driving force of all nature.”
Those words may have been written by Leonardo DaVinci during the Renaissance, but they ring true today in a world where Mother Nature can bring drought on one end of the country and flood on the other.
North Texas struggled through a major drought in 2014 that continued into the spring of 2015, when the skies opened with generous rain.Within two days it filled the severely depleted Lake Amon G. Carter Lake and Bowie Reservoir. Again, spring and summer 2016 have been wet, maintaining those lake levels.
Owned by the City of Bowie, the lake provides raw water that is treated and then supplied to the residents inside the city, the Amon Carter Water Supply District serving the lake area and Silver Lakes Ranch and several annexed areas along U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 59.
Drought has been a driving force in developing additional surface water resources throughout the city’s development. Today’s residents are benefiting from the forethought of city fathers who saw the need to develop a secure water supply.

In October 1936, Old Bowie Lake was completed and opened as the new water supply for the community. Located eight miles north of Bowie off U.S. Highway 81, it encompasses 1,286-acre -feet and was constructed as a Works Progress Administration project.

In 1952 according to the Montague County History Book, there was a severe drought. It led the city in February 1952 to lease two water wells from Rock Island Railroad in Stoneburg to supply city water.
By April the water in the lake was below the intake pipe and a pump had to be purchased to get water over the dam. A new water well also was drilled at the lake. Then water restrictions went into effect in Bowie and in September 1952 the city council began discussions on securing a new more ample supply of water. The future idea for Amon G. Carter Lake was born.

Read the full story in the mid-week News. Also please participate in the lake assets survey on the webpage. (Top photo: Labor Day weekend fun at Selma Park) Photo by Barbara Green

COUNTY LIFE

Jim Bowie Parade entries now being sought

Published

2 days ago

06/12/2025

bowienews

It’s time to start working on your entry for the 2025 Jim Bowie Days Parade.
The theme is “God Bless Texas.” The entry deadline is 5 p.m. on June 25. Entry forms are available at jimbowiedays.com.
There are four categories for the parade: Youth organization or sports team, civic organization or church, riding club and business.
Kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles and ride in the parade, and those with antique cars, trucks or tractors should give them a shine. For cowgirls and cowboys bring your horses to town and ride them on the route.
Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries.
Coming in the June 19 Bowie News see the full calendar of events program for Jim Bowie Days and plan all your family’s activities during this western week of fun.

COUNTY LIFE

Free Music in the Park Festival arrives Saturday

Published

2 days ago

06/12/2025

bowienews

The Music in the Park Festival organizers welcome guests to enjoy a day under the beautiful oaks of Pelham Park to hear an array of music on June 14 in Bowie.
This free music festival is hosted by the Bowie Community center and R&K Sound Company.
Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs and set up under the oak trees that fill the park near the amphitheater. This is the second year for this free festival as it expands to a full day.
Live acoustic music opens the free festival starting at 11:30 a.m. with Corben Wolsey, Blake Mangus, Tiffany Chandler, Sara White and Dillon Edwards. Other live music that day will include Bad Daddy Band and Bricktown Band. ZZ Texas, a ZZ Top tribute band, will take the stage at 8 p.m. Live music continues until 10 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, bounce houses (fee), axe throwing and vendors. Guests are allowed to bring beer in a cooler, but no soda pop or similar drinks. There will be a $5 cooler fee.
Prior to the musical events there will be a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. at the Pelham Park Pavilion. Pre-race warm-up begins at 8:10 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be first-third place winners in each age category.
Entry fee is $35 and participants receive a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center.
Those with questions may call Bonnie at 940-872-4861 or Kenny at 817-704-9847. In case of rain the event will be moved into the center.

COUNTY LIFE

Nocona Library welcomes youngsters for summer fun

Published

2 days ago

06/12/2025

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Nocona Public Library is celebrating summer with lots of activities for kids.
On June 6 the Friends of the Library hosted a Rhyme Time story time. Marcia Williams read “Nothing Rhymes with Orange” by Adam Rex to the children. Lory Hunt helped the kids burn off some energy with a hopping rhyming activity.
Friends of the Library will be hosting its annual summer reading program in July. Check the Library Facebook page for details. Children can pick up reading logs at the library and start reading now.
The Library Advisory Board is having a new program this summer for children in grades 1-5. The Great Summer Adventure is at noon on Mondays in June and July.
Each adventure day begins with a story read by Lory Hunt and is always followed by a surprise. On June 9 the kids were surprised with Taylor Watson’s Petting Zoo. A blind cow named Helen, Pearl the white pony and a white goat named Bell all visited the library. The children had lots of fun petting the animals. Parents can sign children up for this program at the library.
Nocona Public Library is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(top photo) The Taylor Watson Petting Zoo was a big hit at last week’s summer reading program at Nocona Public Library. (Courtesy photo)