COUNTY LIFE
Fun in the sun, household water; Amon Carter filling many needs
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
National Weather Service Fort Worth report: We’re closing down the work week with another round of HOT and DRY weather. Much of the area will see an elevated fire weather threat again today! A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 pm this evening. More heat headlines likely this weekend and early next week
It’s time once again for the Montague County Cemetery Board Fish Fry.
The fish fry will begin serving at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the Forestburg Community Center. The price is $10 per person for all you can eat, and child’s plate for 12 and under is $5. Take-out is also available.
The meal will consist of locally caught crappie and catfish, French fries, beans, hushpuppies, coleslaw and all the trimmings and homemade desserts.
The main purpose of the Montague County Cemetery Board is to look after the county’s abandoned cemeteries. The county has between 50 and 60 abandoned cemeteries. Cleaning a cemetery typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. Help can be monetary, but it can also be as simple as reporting a suspected lost cemetery, allowing access to the cemetery, or spending a day alongside others cleaning. Volunteers are always welcome.
Another goal of the Cemetery Board is to obtain Historical Status from the Texas Historical Commission for the abandoned cemeteries. This status records the cemetery with both the county and state. It helps to protect them for years to come.
Leadership Montague County is now accepting applications for its upcoming class. Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 1.
Individuals who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills, expanding their knowledge of Montague County and building lasting professional and community relationships are encouraged to apply.
The program is a nine-month leadership development program consisting of nine, one-day, monthly meetings. Participants will explore topics including local government, agriculture, education, healthcare, business and industry, public safety, economic development and community leadership through interactive sessions and site visits. The group will be traveling to Austin in the spring to visit with the legislators and senators and to see how they work for the county residents.
Leadership Montague County is designed for emerging and established leaders who have a desire to become more involved in improving the quality of life throughout Montague County.
Class size is limited, and early application is encouraged. For additional information or to request an application, contact: Leadership Montague County, j-hansard@tamu.edu or call 940-894-2831
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