Brown Lake

Bull Creek· Pittsburg, Oklahoma· Built 1943· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Brown Lake is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1943 and is 83 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 21 ft (taller than 17.7% in OK)
Dam Length1,565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage10.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.5K acre-ft
Surface Area548 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Max Discharge23,400 cfs
Year Completed1943 (83 years old)
Year Modified1953
NID IDOK20511

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: October 26, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Mcalester Aap

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brown Lake?

Brown Lake 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 Brown Lake?

Brown Lake is owned by Mcalester Aap (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brown Lake built?

Brown Lake was completed in 1943, making it 83 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 Brown Lake?

Brown Lake serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Brown Lake?

Brown Lake has a dam height of 21 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 Brown Lake last inspected?

Brown Lake was last inspected on October 26, 2021. 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.