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)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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