User:Crogers52/Cooper Lake

Location
Cooper Lake State Park is a Texas State Park in Delta and Hopkins counties, about three miles (5 km) south of Cooper, Texas. The park is situated on Jim Chapman Lake, formerly known as Cooper Lake. There are actually two geographically separate units; the Doctors Creek unit 33°20′54″N 95°40′08″W is located on the north side of the lake, in Delta County, while the South Sulphur unit 33°17′49″N 95°39′35″W is located on the south side of the lake, in Hopkins County.

Hydrology
The only tributary contributing to Cooper Lake is the South Sulphur River. The United States Geological Survey has measured the water level at Cooper Lake for the last 20 years. Over this time average monthly elevations have been collected and published on the USGS website. Cooper lake holds on average 435 ft, holding more water in the spring and summer months of March through July.

History
The park's land was inhabited by Caddo people until the 1800s, when settlers brought the agriculture (including cotton and dairy) and livestock industries to the area. Cooper Lake itself was built between 1986 and 1991, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was built using a earth fill dam, that is 28,070 ft in length. The dam itself was meant to be built built six miles upstream. A spill way was also constructed that is 700 ft wide.

Fauna
The park lies at the intersection of the Tallgrass Prairie and Post Oak Savannah ecoregions. There is a diverse variety of mammals (including the gray fox and nine-banded armadillo) and birds in the park, and multiple species of catfish, crappie, and bass in the lake. Other mammals include white-tail deer, bobcats, and raccoons.

Flora
Surrounding the lake is a variety of trees natural to the area. These include winged elm, post oak, and eastern red cedar.

Recreation
Fishing is a common practice to do at Cooper Lake. Catfish, white bass, and crappie are the most common species in the water. A swim area is located at the lake as well for quick trips.