Arcadia Lake (Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arcadia Lake |
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Location | Oklahoma County, Oklahoma |
Coordinates | 35°38′40″N 97°21′45″W / 35.644501°N 97.362537°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Deep Fork River |
Primary outflows | Deep Fork River |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 1,820 acres (7.4 km2) |
Shore length1 | 26 mi (42 km) |
Surface elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
Settlements | Edmond, Oklahoma |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Arcadia Lake is a fun lake located in northeastern Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, in the United States. You can find it just east of Edmond and near Interstate 35.
This lake is quite large, covering about 1,820 acres (which is roughly 7 square kilometers). It also has a long shoreline, stretching for about 26 miles (or 42 kilometers).
Building Arcadia Lake
Arcadia Lake isn't a natural lake. It's actually a type of lake called a reservoir. This means it was created by people! The lake was formed in 1984 when an earthen dam was built across the Deep Fork River. Construction of the dam started a few years earlier, in 1980.
The City of Edmond worked together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build Arcadia Lake. They had several important reasons for creating it:
- Flood Control: To help control floods in the Deep Fork River area.
- Water Supply: To provide fresh water for the city of Edmond.
- Recreation: To offer fun activities and outdoor spaces for people in the nearby communities.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Arcadia Lake is a great place for outdoor adventures! There are many different activities you can enjoy:
- Fishing: Cast a line and try to catch some fish.
- Boating: Take your boat out on the water.
- Camping: Spend a night or a few under the stars.
- Trails: Explore the area by mountain biking, hiking, or even riding horses.
- Disc Golf: Play a round of Frisbee golf on the special course.
If you love being on the water, you're in luck! Waterskiing and Jet Skiing are allowed in certain parts of the lake. If you want to ride a horse, remember to bring your own, as horse rentals are not available here.
Lake Facilities and Parks
The lake has many helpful facilities to make your visit enjoyable:
- Picnic areas where you can eat your lunch.
- Pavilions for larger groups or events.
- Boat ramps to easily launch your boat.
- Special swim beaches where you can cool off.
- An enclosed and heated fishing dock, which is great for fishing in any weather and is also accessible for people with disabilities.
If you want to stay overnight, Arcadia Lake offers different camping options:
- RV campsites with full hookups for your recreational vehicle.
- Primitive tent campsites for a more traditional camping experience.
Around the lake, you'll find several parks where you can relax and play, including Scissortail Park, Spring Creek Park, Central State Park, and Edmond Park.