Overholser

N. CANADIAN RIVER· Oklahoma, Oklahoma· Built 1919· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Overholser is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1919 and is 107 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 61 ft (taller than 97.7% in OK)
Dam Length17,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage31.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage15.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,500 acres
Drainage Area738 sq mi
Max Discharge193,013 cfs
Year Completed1919 (107 years old)
NID IDOK02537

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 6, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRB

Ownership

OKLAHOMA CITY WATER UTILITIES TRUST

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Overholser?

Overholser 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 Overholser?

Overholser is owned by OKLAHOMA CITY WATER UTILITIES TRUST (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Overholser built?

Overholser was completed in 1919, making it 107 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 Overholser?

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

How tall is Overholser?

Overholser has a dam height of 61 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 Overholser last inspected?

Overholser was last inspected on October 6, 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.