Watonga Lake

BITTER CREEK· Blaine, Oklahoma· Built 1955· Earth· 33 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Watonga Lake is classified as low hazard in Oklahoma. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 68.1% in OK)
Dam Length910 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage656 acre-ft
Surface Area55 acres
Drainage Area2,000 sq mi
Max Discharge1,430 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDOK00115

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 11, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: OWRB

Ownership

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watonga Lake?

Watonga Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Watonga Lake?

Watonga Lake is owned by DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watonga Lake built?

Watonga Lake was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Watonga Lake?

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

How tall is Watonga Lake?

Watonga Lake 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 Watonga Lake last inspected?

Watonga Lake was last inspected on October 11, 2010. 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.