Sulphur River
{{Short description|River in Texas and Arkansas in the United States}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Sulphur River
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| map = {{maplink-road|from=Sulfur River (TX).map}}
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| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = Arkansas
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of mouth
| pushpin_map_alt =
| source1_location = Confluence of north and south forks at
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|33.3933333|-95.3555556|format=dms|display=inline}}{{GNIS|78492}}
| mouth_location = Red River at
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|33.0934657|-93.8615681|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| subdivision_type2 = States
| subdivision_name2 = Texas, Arkansas
| length = {{convert|175|mi}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|101|m|sp=us}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|58|m|sp=us}}
| discharge1_avg =
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The Sulphur River is a {{convert|175|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}{{cite web| url=http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/| title=The National Map| publisher=U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate=March 8, 2011}} river in northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas in the United States. It is a tributary of the Red River.
Geography
The Sulphur River begins at the confluence of its north and south forks forming (following earlier meanders) the northern and southern boundaries of, and meeting at the eastern end of, Delta County (Texas).{{cite map |title=National Map|url=https://apps.nationalmap.gov/downloader/#/16/33.37754034430009/-95.30750619312882/usgs_topo/|publisher =USGS|access-date =15 Jan 2022}} This is about {{convert|4.7|mi}} northeast of the town of Sulphur Bluff, {{convert|95|mi}} northeast of Dallas, and {{convert|16|mi}} downstream (air miles) along the south fork from the Cooper Lake dam.
The river flows generally eastward through several Texas counties. Tributaries include Shawnee Creek and Brevelle Lake. The river provides most of the water for Wright Patman Lake, on the border between Bowie and Cass counties. Below Wright Patman Dam, the river continues its generally eastward flow to the Arkansas state line. The river flows southeastward through Miller County in southwestern Arkansas for {{convert|15|mi}} until it joins the southbound Red River east of Doddridge, a few miles north of the Louisiana border.
Recreation
The Sulphur River provides numerous opportunities for fishing, boating, and other activities.
Above Wright Patman Lake, the river has enough water for recreation most of the time. The flow is slow, and the river is murky, largely due to channelization upstream. Below Wright Patman Dam, the river flow depends on the amount of water being released from the dam; however, water quality is usually good.
Wright Patman Lake provides additional opportunities for camping, boating, swimming, and fishing.{{cite web|url=https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=M218110|title=Wright Patman Dam and Lake|publisher=US Army Corps of Engineers|access-date= 15 Jan 2022}}
File:Lake Wright Patman Spillway.jpg|The spillway at Lake Wright Patman during the flood of 2015-2016. After this the Sulphur river flows into Miller County, Arkansas.
File:Lake Wright Patman Spillway Riser.jpg|The control center for the Lake Wright Patman dam gates. After this the Sulphur river flows into Miller County, Arkansas.
File:Survey Marker at the Lake Wright Patman Dam.jpg|This is a brass survey marker for the Lake Wright Patman Dam installed in 1981 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
See also
{{portal|Rivers|Arkansas|Texas}}
References
{{reflist|22em}}
External links
{{commons category|Sulphur River}}
- [http://www.sulphurr.org/ Sulphur River Basin Authority]
- [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_rp_t3200_1047/09_e_tx_san_jacinto_trinity_elm.phtml#sulphur Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: An Analysis of Texas Waterways]
- {{Handbook of Texas|id=rns19|name=Sulphur River}}
{{Waters of Texas}}
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