Deer Lake

TRIBUTARY TO ROCK CREEK· Osage, Oklahoma· Built 1955· Earth· 15 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Deer Lake is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 15 ft (taller than 1% in OK)
Dam Length570 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage124 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area29 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge1,100 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDOK11112

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: August 18, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRB

Ownership

SUNSET LAKE ESTATES INC.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Lake?

Deer 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 Deer Lake?

Deer Lake is owned by SUNSET LAKE ESTATES INC. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deer Lake built?

Deer Lake was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Deer Lake?

Deer Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Deer Lake?

Deer Lake has a dam height of 15 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 Deer Lake last inspected?

Deer Lake was last inspected on August 18, 2022. 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.