Welcome To DeGray Lake

Welcome to beautiful DeGray Lake nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains! Located adjacent to the National Scenic 7 Byway, just north of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, lies a sparkling treasure of the Vicksburg District. Spanning 208 miles of shoreline and 13,800 acres, DeGray Lake offers a myriad of recreational opportunities.

Completed in 1972, this earthen dam backs up the waters of the Caddo River some 27 miles creating DeGray Lake.  The history of the Caddo River goes back hundreds of years to the first settlers in the area – the Caddo Indians.

Although recreation plays a major role in every day activity, hydropower makes this lake one of the most efficient and energy producing projects in the South.  DeGray Lake holds the distinction as the first “pump back capable” impoundment in the history of the Corps of Engineers. A re-regulation dam forms a 400-acre impoundment directly below the main lake that serves as a storage basin for pump back capable features. During designated times, i.e. drought, the 28,000 KW generator can be reversed pulling water out of the Lower Lake into the main lake to be utilized again for hydropower generation.  The 400-acre Lower Lake also serves as an ideal waterfowl refuge.

With over 13,400 acres of water surface alone, there is plenty of room to enjoy the many recreational activities DeGray Lake has to offer. We invite you to come see for yourself and explore the beauty of DeGray Lake.