Southern Great Plains Field Station

SPRING CREEK· Osage, Oklahoma· Built 1938· Earth· 33 ft tall
High Hazard Irrigation Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Southern Great Plains Field Station is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 33 ft (taller than 68.1% in OK)
Dam Length950 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage646 acre-ft
Normal Storage148 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Max Discharge23,185 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDOK10416

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: December 1, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA-ARS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Southern Great Plains Field Station?

Southern Great Plains Field Station 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 Southern Great Plains Field Station?

Southern Great Plains Field Station is owned by USDA-ARS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Southern Great Plains Field Station built?

Southern Great Plains Field Station was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Southern Great Plains Field Station?

Southern Great Plains Field Station serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Southern Great Plains Field Station?

Southern Great Plains Field Station has a dam height of 33 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 Southern Great Plains Field Station last inspected?

Southern Great Plains Field Station was last inspected on December 1, 2017. 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.