Caddo Lake Drawbridge-Caddo Lake

The Caddo Lake Dam at Mooringsport

The "Old Mooringsport Dam" was a part of the River & Harbor Act of June 25, 1910 which provided for its construction, without a navigation lock, at the foot of Caddo Lake. It was completed in 1914 at a cost of $100,553. The dam fixed the low water level in Caddo Lake and provided navigation to Jefferson, Texas which is 43 miles above the dam. Prior to the dam's construction, navigation from the Red River on Twelve Mile Bayou through Caddo Lake and Cypress Bayou made Jefferson and other cities and towns busy ports for steamboat trade and traffic from New Orleans. The dam's construction curtailed these activities. Eventually, the dam weakened under the pressure and strain of the lake and cracks developed. These were repaired but it was evident that a new dam was needed. A new dam was authorized by Congress in the Flood Control Act of July 24, 1946. Later, construction of the new dam was authorized in 1965. Construction began in 1968 with the engineering plans calling for a 2,400 foot concrete overflow structure. The Caddo Lake Dam at Mooringsport was completed in 1971 at a cost of 3.5 million dollars. The dam is so designed that a lock may be installed to make navigation once again possible from the Red River via Twelve Mile Bayou.

United States Army Corps of Engineers web site:
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/CaddoLake.aspx

The Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge
Mooringsport, Louisiana

Caddo Lake at Mooringsport

The Caddo Lake Dam at Mooringsport

The Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge Mooringsport, Louisiana

Caddo Lake at Mooringsport

The Caddo Lake Dam at Mooringsport

The Historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge
Mooringsport, Louisiana