A popular destination for more than 6 million visitors every year, Lake Texoma has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a new home or a vacation destination, explore what Texoma offers.
But first, exactly where is Lake Texoma?
A manufactured lake formed via the Denison Dam, Lake Texoma lies along the border of north-central Texas and south-central Oklahoma, where the Red River meets the Washita. In a map of Lake Texoma, you’ll see that it’s located about five miles northwest of Denison, Texas, and approximately 15 miles southwest of Durant, Oklahoma.
The area is about 121 miles south of Oklahoma City and approximately 75 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which recently topped the charts as the country’s fastest-growing metro area. Lake Texoma has a shoreline in six Texas and Oklahoma counties. A portion of the surrounding Oklahoma land belongs to the Chickasaw Nation.
If you’re a recent transplant to this thriving city, Lake Texoma is the perfect destination for a vacation or weekend away.
How Big Is Lake Texoma?
Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States. It covers around 90,000 acres and offers 550 miles of scenic shoreline. The shores of Lake Texoma boast 24 marinas, from quiet campground docking centers to high-end, full-service resorts.
The lake is 110 feet deep at its deepest point and has an average depth of 39.9 feet, which allows it to accommodate boats of nearly any size, from small sailboats to motor yachts.
Lake Texoma Elevation
Lake Texoma has a typical surface elevation of 615 to 619 feet, depending on the season, meaning it’s just under 620 feet above sea level. That’s about 200 feet above the elevation of Dallas.
The top of the Denison Dam is 670 feet above sea level, with a spillway at 640 feet. The dam can safely fill to 666.4 feet above sea level but has only been filled three times in its history — 1966, 1990, and 2007.
Lake Texoma Weather
Lake Texoma has a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. July and August are the area’s warmest months, with highs in the low- to mid-90s and lows around 75 F.
Summer is sunny in the Lake Texoma area, with an average of 6.5 precipitation days per month. In the summer, cloud cover ranges from 22% in August to 26% in June. May, the rainiest month, still has only nine precipitation days and 22 sunny days on average.
Lake Texoma is a great place for people looking to escape harsh northern winters. January and February highs hover in the mid-50s, while average lows stick to the high 30s. And while it may not be the place to go for a white Christmas, you could still catch a few flakes before March.
History of the Region
The Red and Washita Rivers have fed the original settlers of what is now Texas and Oklahoma for well over 1,000 years. Multiple nations have moved through the area, including the Quachita, Chickasaw, Osage, and Tawakoni. The region is the traditional home of the Wichita people.
Europeans arrived in the area in the 1500s and 1600s, but the site would remain a river basin for several hundred years. Then, in the 1920s, Denison businessman George Moulton began arguing for a dam to control Red River flooding.
Denison met with opposition until then-Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn threw his support behind the measure, gathering other supporters from the area. In 1938, the Flood Control Act authorized the Denison Dam, and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) took control of the project.
Construction began in 1939 and ultimately cost a total of $54 million. The dam officially opened in 1944 as the largest dam of its kind nationwide. Engineers placed Denison’s first hydroelectric turbine a year later, allowing the dam to power the surrounding area.
In the late 1960s, the U.S. Congress added recreation to the area’s official list of uses. Since then, Texoma has become a go-to destination for outdoor fun.
Demographics
The Lake Texoma region is socioeconomically diverse. It houses approximately 319,000 people in friendly cities and small towns.
One of Texoma’s most populous cities is Sherman, located in Grayson County, Texas. Sherman is a growing community with multiple large employers, including Tyson Foods and Austin College, plus a new construction project expected to generate thousands of jobs.
Grayson County includes many of Lake Texoma’s largest cities. You might notice some differences in community makeup between Grayson County and nearby Bryant County in Oklahoma, primarily because of variations in local economies. These Census Bureau numbers offer more detail.
- Population: 143,131
- Population per square mile:
- Children under 18: 23.7%
- Adults 65+: 18.2%
- In civilian workforce: 62.6%
- Median household income: $62,078
- Per capita income: $31,081
- Median home value: $169,000
- Population: 48,182
- Population per square mile: 50.9
- Children under 18: 23.1%
- Adults 65+: 17.7%
- In civilian workforce: 58.4%
- Median household income: $49,225
- Per capita income: $26,639
- Median home value: $127,000
Both counties are warm and welcoming places to buy property without breaking the bank. Browse homes in a variety of neighborhoods to learn more.
Buying a House near Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma is a great place to buy a home or vacation property that your family can enjoy for years.
At American Dream Realty, we know the Lake Texoma communities like old friends. If you’re considering a home or land purchase in Lake Texoma or want to learn more about the area, our real estate experts can help. We know this community like an old friend and are here to offer the insight and knowledge you need to move forward.
Ready to learn more? Send us a message or schedule a time to chat.
