A Denton man drowned near Toledo Bend Dam spillway in Louisiana after going under while swimming with friends, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The drowning was reported on Friday afternoon, May 29, 2026. Officials described the victim as a 22-year-old man from Denton, Texas, but did not release his name in the statement.

Texas Man Drowns While Swimming Near Toledo Bend Dam

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said initial reports indicated the man was swimming with friends near the spillway when he went under. The sheriff’s office did not provide an exact time beyond Friday afternoon and did not release further details about the circumstances that led to the drowning.

The incident happened near Toledo Bend Dam, a major reservoir area along the Louisiana-Texas region. Spillways and dam areas can pose serious risks because water conditions may change quickly, especially near fast-moving or restricted zones.

Multiple Agencies Responded to the Scene

Several emergency and public safety agencies responded, including South Sabine Fire District, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, North Sabine Fire District, the Sabine River Authority, Acadian Ambulance, Life Air Rescue and the Sabine Parish Sheriff Dive Team.

The sheriff’s office said Mitchell and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office offered condolences to the man’s family and friends. Officials also said the man had graduated just a few weeks earlier, though no additional personal details were released.

The drowning highlights the danger of swimming near spillways, dams and reservoir structures, where conditions can become hazardous even when people are swimming with others nearby.