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New Stock Tank
The Chapman Family Ranch at Clarksville, Texas has constructed a new constant level, spring fed tank which some might call a lake or pond. Calling it a lake might be more approbate because of the size. The tank was constructed in early November 2005 and was full of water in December from the continuously running, fresh water springs. The water ran around the spill way in flood stage in February 2006 with water from the normal winter rains.
The tank extends into four pastures. The dam is on the north side of the Brooxie pasture. The water extends about 2,000 feet to the south end of the pasture, nearly to Farm Road 1159 where it splits for about the last 150 feet. Later, the ranch will excavate enough dirt so the water will reach the road right away. This will create a promontory with the only entrance from the asphalt road. This will make an ideal place to construct a cabin for fishermen.
To the west the tank extends 1,600 feet through the Uncle Ray pasture and into the Karen pasture. The cattle use the Uncle Ray pasture as their “swim across” to travel from the Uncle Bill Fescue Pasture to the Uncle Ray pasture
The ranch has just recently stocked the tank with bait fish, Fat Head Minnows, Copper Nose Blue Gills, and Red Ear Perch. Shad is scheduled to arrive in June 2006. In November 2006, Texas Large Mouth Bass will be added to the mix for the game fishing side of the tank. The ranch will start using the tank as a catch and release fishing tank in three years.
The tank will also be used as a water storage for the fire fighters, water for selected live stock and, with the possibility of irrigation if this is ever deemed necessary for the ranch.
Below are photos of the heavy construction equipment used to construct the tank. Notice the dirt being moved by the scraper. No rock! The ranch has no indigenous rock. Any rock found on the ranch has been transported from elsewhere.
Cleve Batte Construction of Shreveport was the contractor selected for the construction phase of the tank project with Unruh Sod Company selected to install the protective Bermuda Grass cover on the dam.
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