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)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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