Sabine River Authority adding more amenities at Lake Fork

Posted 1/20/22

“A new landmark on the lake,” is how Sabine River Authority (SRA) upper basin regional manager Troy Henry described the latest improvement to Lake Fork.

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Sabine River Authority adding more amenities at Lake Fork

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“A new landmark on the lake,” is how Sabine River Authority (SRA) upper basin regional manager Troy Henry described the latest improvement to Lake Fork.

The new six-lane public boat ramp, paved parking area and access road are complete; while the turning basin is near 100% and the pavilion has just been put out to bid. When those initial components of the project are complete, Lake Fork will indeed be adding another jewel to their crown as the best bass lake in the nation.

It was just over one year ago when Henry explained the project to the readership. Although some work had already commenced 12 months ago, the project was little more than a muddy path off of TX 154. 

Viewed today, the progress is remarkable. The dedicated turning lane off of TX 154 just north of the Big Caney Bay Bridge is complete, melded perfectly into the highway. 

The access road takes a curving, one mile path back to the site of the public launch. The road is TxDOT highway standard, elevated slightly above the terrain and well-shouldered. As Henry slowly drove the road he described some of the future improvements which have already been discussed at SRA.

“We would like to cut a few pull-offs into the area to accommodate nature-viewers, folks wanting to fish from the shore and people just wanting to have lunch or to enjoy the views,” he stated. Henry also noted how the area adjacent the access road will be tended, not like a residential area, but in a manner to make it both attractive and accessible. 

He also described that security lights will likely illuminate the access road, taking advantage of the underground power run which will have above-ground ports at regular intervals.

“We will endeavor to keep the area open 24/7, and that will require adequate security,” he added. 

A concrete section bridge has already replaced the wooden span which bridged the north-leading inlet just east of the new launch area.

“We considered replacing the old bridge with just a huge culvert,” Henry explained, “but people knew that old bridge and could boat under it so we thought it best to replace it with a bridge and preserve that bit of access to the inlet.” The concrete span is in place with safety rails being added. 

The road empties into a large parking area, with 120 long parking spots. An adjacent grass field was already prepared with select soil to facilitate easy improvement in the future.

The six concrete boat lanes are ready for action. They are separated by adequate curbing, and the boat ramps are scored with diagonal ribbing for excellent traction. 

Three 130’ floating piers will extend out of the boat ramp area into the turning basin.

The basin itself is large, with a 600 foot diameter and a depth dredged to 10 feet. The entrance channel to the basin from Big Caney Bay was also dredged and has already been demarcated by three channel buoys.

Dredging the site uncovered no surprises. It was completed both from the land-side as well as with a floating barge. Henry shared that after skimming the top 2-3 feet off the surface, underneath was a clay-based soil akin to what builders know as “red select.” He informed that it was useful in building up the road base. 

Looking across the turning basin one can envision the large pavilion which will sit on the adjacent promontory. The pavilion will be large - 8,649 sq. ft. The advertisement for bid on pavilion construction hit the Dallas paper this week. 

The pavilion will not only be large enough to facilitate big events, but it will command quite a beautiful overlook of the lake. It will also have a small climate-controlled area and a small area to power food warmers and other devices which facilitate weddings and celebrations.  

Paved walking paths will connect the pavilion with the parking area. 

All told, the project will be a top-notch facility and certainly a huge draw to Lake Fork.

Henry explained that discussions about constructing a large public ramp and recreation area stemmed from the experience of hosting Bassmaster events on the premises of the SRA, just adjacent to the dam. The SRA hosted Bassmaster events in partnership with their sister state organization, Texas Parks and Wildlife.

While the grounds could accommodate thousands of people, large events brought concerns about emergency access, weather impacts, security and proximity to critical dam infrastructure.

“We needed a site built to host large events such as that for the community,” he stated.

The concept was born. The project fit nicely into the Sabine River Authority’s improvements program for the entire region. Lake Tawakoni and Toledo Bend have public access improvement projects underway. 

The Lake Tawakoni project, although not as large as the Lake Fork project, is just a bit further toward completion. The Toledo Bend project will be a large facility in the mid-lake region. 

“There were five priorities for the Lake Fork project,” Henry related, “a large, paved parking area; a multi-lane boat ramp; open space surrounding the ramps and pavilion; good ingress and egress; and safety.” 

L.J.A. Engineering of Houston, a planning and landscape architecture firm, created the plan for the facility.

“The site and the plan meet all of our requirements,” Henry said. “Controlling the surrounding 900 acres on the peninsula allows us great flexibility for the future.”  

In addition to the pavilion, there are a number of items yet outstanding: a water well, walking paths, final dredging, signage, restrooms and security outfitting. It is hoped that an official opening will be forthcoming this year. 

Henry offered that they had received positive responses from the marina-operators on the lake.

“They shared the thought that a new large, quality facility would simply draw more customers to Lake Fork and provide more business for all.”  

Local residents will be taken aback at the quality and beauty of the facility being constructed just south of the TX 154 bridge. The SRA will yet host this year’s Bassmasters event, May 19-22, at their grounds adjacent the dam. However, future events will be destined for the new landmark on the lake at Big Caney Bay.