Okemah Lake
Key Takeaway
Okemah Lake is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 60 ft (taller than 97.4% in OK) |
| Dam Length | 1,200 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 26.2K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 13.1K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 761 acres |
| Drainage Area | 20 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 61,900 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
| NID ID | OK02395 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
CITY OF OKEMAH
Local Government
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What is the hazard classification of Okemah Lake?
Okemah 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 Okemah Lake?
Okemah Lake is owned by CITY OF OKEMAH (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Okemah Lake built?
Okemah Lake was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Okemah Lake?
Okemah Lake serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Okemah Lake?
Okemah Lake has a dam height of 60 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 Okemah Lake last inspected?
Okemah Lake was last inspected on November 1, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.