The project was authorized as Texarkana Dam and Reservoir under the comprehensive project, “Red River, Texas Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, below Denison Dam, Texas and Oklahoma” by the Flood Contract Act of 1946 (Public Law 526, 79th Congress, 2nd Session). It was later known as Lake Texarkana and on December 15, 1973, President Nixon signed H.R. 945, officially designating the project, “Wright Patman Dam and Lake,” in honor of Congressman Patman of the First Congressional District of Texas.

Wright Patman Lake is a part of the comprehensive plan for flood control on the Red River below Denison, Texas.  The drainage area of 3,400 square miles above the dam site is approximately 91 percent of the drainage area of the Sulphur River above the Red River and approximately 12 percent of the drainage area below Denison Dam, excluding the Ouchita-Black River Basin.  An additional benefit is the utilization of water supply by Texarkana, Texas-Arkansas.

Construction commenced on August 20, 1948, with clearing of the dam site.  The Sulphur River was blocked and water was routed through the control structures on July 2, 1953.  The reservoir was operated as a temporary detention basin until June 27, 1956, at which time the gates were closed and intentional impoundment was started.  Wright Patman Lake was transferred from the New Orleans District to the Fort Worth District on September 1, 1979.