Altus South Dike

RED RIVER· Kiowa, Oklahoma· Built 1945· Earth· 46 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Altus South Dike is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 46 ft (taller than 92% in OK)
Dam Length330 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage168.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage134.5K acre-ft
Surface Area6,260 acres
Drainage Area2,515 sq mi
Max Discharge57,200 cfs
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDOK82905

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 14, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Altus South Dike?

Altus South Dike is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Altus South Dike?

Altus South Dike is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Altus South Dike built?

Altus South Dike was completed in 1945, making it 81 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Altus South Dike?

Altus South Dike serves the following purposes: Irrigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Altus South Dike?

Altus South Dike has a dam height of 46 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Altus South Dike last inspected?

Altus South Dike was last inspected on July 14, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.