Sutton Wilderness Lake

TRIBUTARY OF LITTLE RIVER· Cleveland, Oklahoma· Built 1960· Earth· 18 ft tall
High Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sutton Wilderness Lake is classified as high hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is other. 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 18 ft (taller than 7.5% in OK)
Dam Length670 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage170 acre-ft
Normal Storage130 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Max Discharge500 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDOK12572

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: November 2, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRB

Ownership

CITY OF NORMAN

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sutton Wilderness Lake?

Sutton Wilderness 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 Sutton Wilderness Lake?

Sutton Wilderness Lake is owned by CITY OF NORMAN (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sutton Wilderness Lake built?

Sutton Wilderness Lake was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Sutton Wilderness Lake?

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

How tall is Sutton Wilderness Lake?

Sutton Wilderness Lake has a dam height of 18 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 Sutton Wilderness Lake last inspected?

Sutton Wilderness Lake was last inspected on November 2, 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.