Oologah Lake

Lake Oologah is a reservoir in northeastern Oklahoma. It is located near the towns of Oologah, Nowata, and Claremore. The lake has a surface of 29,500 acres (119 km2) of water and 209 miles (336 km) of shoreline with 11 lake-side parks. The water storage capacity is rated as 552,210 acre-feet (681,140,000 m3).[2] The lake is formed along the Verdigris River, and is a source of water for the Tulsa Metropolitan Area. The purpose of the dam and lake is flood control, water supply, navigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife.

Lake Oologah
Location of Oologah Lake in Oklahoma, USA.
Location of Oologah Lake in Oklahoma, USA.
Lake Oologah
Location of Oologah Lake in Oklahoma, USA.
Location of Oologah Lake in Oklahoma, USA.
Lake Oologah
LocationRogers / Nowata counties, Oklahoma, United States
Coordinates36.55°N 95.60°W / 36.55; -95.60
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsVerdigris River
Primary outflowsVerdigris River
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area29,000 acres (120 km2)
Average depth5.7 metres (19 ft)[1]
Max. depth24.4 metres (80 ft)[1]
Water volume522,210 acre-feet (644,140,000 m3)
Residence time109 days (9,400 ks)[1]
Shore length1209 mi (336 km)
Surface elevation638 ft (194 m)
Islands3
SettlementsOologah, Nowata, Claremore
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Background

The dam and lake were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who still administer it. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and construction began in 1950. In 1951, construction was halted and resumed in 1955. In 1963, the majority of the project was complete and all facilities were in 1974.[3] In 1976, the City of Tulsa built a pipeline connecting Oologah to the Lynn Lane Reservoir in Tulsa.[4] Raw water supplied by this system is treated by A. B. Jewell Water Treatment Plant, which was built in 1974 with a design capacity of 90,000,000 US gallons per day (340,000 m3/d).[5] The Jewell plant capacity has since been expanded to 120,000,000 US gallons per day (450,000 m3/d).[6]

The Oologah Dam is located at 36°25′19″N 95°40′49″W and is an earth-fill embankment type. Its maximum height is 137 ft (42 m) above the river bed and the embankment is 4,000 ft (1,219 m) long. The dam's spillway is located 2 mi (3 km) to the east and is composed of seven radial gates.[3]

Recreation opportunities include a swimming beach, mountain biking, marina, RV and tent camping, picnic tables and a playground. On the east side of the lake, the Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail winds around the shore from the Spillway to Blue Creek Park totaling 18 miles.[7]

Famous American actor, philosopher, cowboy, and writer, Will Rogers, was born on the Dog Iron Ranch which now sits on the shores of Oologah Lake, where it was relocated, since the basin was dammed and flooded.[2]

References
  1. "Report on Oolagah Reservoir, Nowata and Rogers Counties, Oklahoma: EPA Region VI".
  2. "Tulsa, Oklahoma". Oologah.com. Krantz Communications. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  3. "Oologah Lake". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  4. City of Tulsa - Water Supply Lakes - Oologah.
  5. City of Tulsa, Retrieved January 4, 2011
  6. City of Tulsa Online. Tulsa Water
  7. "Oologah Lake". www.travelok.com. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
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