SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17

TRIBUTARY TO COTTONWOOD CREEK· Canadian, Oklahoma· Built 1977· Earth· 54 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction State Government

Key Takeaway

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 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 54 ft (taller than 96% in OK)
Dam Length2,913 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage577 acre-ft
Surface Area42 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge16,490 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDOK01516

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: May 17, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRB

Ownership

EAST CANADIAN COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 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 SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 is owned by EAST CANADIAN COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 built?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 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 SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 has a dam height of 54 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 SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 last inspected?

SCS-Cottonwood Creek Site-17 was last inspected on May 17, 2011. 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.