Posted on July 28, 2025
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee is taking its hats off to one family who is taking the steps to begin the dredging project that leads to the lake.
The resident said he just wants to be a good neighbor to those around him.
Michael Kephart purchased this land a few months ago and ran into a number of issues.
Between the native grass soaking up water that should flow to the lake, to an illegal dam that was built that causes flooding to neighbors’ property, he said he started the clean-up project to help his community.
“The end goal for me is the fact that what I want to do is get rid of the dam, and get the water rightfully where it belongs to which is Lake Wichita. We are working on that process as we speak now,” Kephart said.
So far, the process has called for Kephart and his team to work tirelessly for hours.
“It’s about a 16-hour day. 12- to 16-hour days every day for the last two months since we’ve bought the piece of property,” he said.
The crew has spent hours clearing Holiday Creek and the property from debris and salt cedars.
“Those things suck the water right out by hundreds of gallons of water every day,” Vice Chairman for Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee Steven Garner said.
On top of upstream water being absorbed by the native grass, an illegal dam was built 10 years causing flooding to homes and businesses.
“If we bust the dam now, it will be interrupting the project that we’re working on downstream. Once we get that project to here, the dam will be broke. All this water that you see should be in Lake Wichita,” Kephart said.
With the goal of getting the water to flow into Lake Wichita each day, the Kepharts spend about $600 in fuel to dredge the area.
“He is accomplishing what we wanted to do as a committee in Phase 3 of the Lake Wichita Revitalization Project. That was reclamation of Holiday Creek and reclamation of the wetlands that feed into Lake Wichita,” Garner said.
“We’re jumping the gun a little bit. We’re hoping to get Phase 1 of the dredging project and start actually dredging the lake. Then it was going to be Phase 2, finishing the lake dredge, and then 3, rehabilitating Holiday Creek,” Past Board Chair for Lake Wichita Revitalization Committee, Austin Cobb said.
“It’s somebody who actually sees a problem, and wants to do something about it instead of complaining, and so we’re grateful for the Kepharts,” he added.
Cobb said they are saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“The hold up has been Congress has not passed a budget. They finally just passed a budget. So, these projects will now be funded in fiscal year 26,” Cobb said.
“We’re just thrilled, we’re moving dirt for the first time. The Lake Wichita Board has been around for 10 years, and we’re finally starting to move some significant dirt, and we’re very excited,” he added.
Those in support of the project share that they are thrilled to see the lake at its full potential.
“The average depth of the lake will be seven to 11 feet. It will support jet skis, boats, fishing, wildlife, it could be a recreational facility, and a quality of life for our residents, and I think a lot of people are excited for it,” Cobb said.
Those a part of the project also believe this will increase tourism and travel into the City of Wichita Falls.
