Bluestem Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bluestem Lake |
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|---|---|
| Location | Osage County, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 36°42′19.7″N 96°25′9.06″W / 36.705472°N 96.4191833°W |
| Purpose | Flood control, recreation, secondary water supply (Pawhuska, Oklahoma) |
| Status | complete |
| Opening date | 1958 Middle Bird Creek |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Middle Bird Creek |
| Reservoir | |
| Surface area | 762 acre |
| Normal elevation | 267 m |
Bluestem Lake is a large lake in Osage County, Oklahoma. It's about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northwest of a town called Pawhuska. People sometimes call it City of Pawhuska Lake or Pawhuska Lake.
The lake was created where two smaller streams, Middle Bird Creek and South Bird Creek, meet. Water flows out of the lake into Middle Bird Creek. Bluestem Lake covers an area of about 762 acres (3.08 km2). Its shoreline stretches for about 19 miles (31 km).
The lake sits at an elevation of about 267 meters (876 feet) above sea level. It was finished in 1958. Bluestem Lake helps control floods and is a place for fun activities like boating and fishing. It also provides water for the town of Pawhuska.
Contents
How the Lake's Size Has Changed
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) studied Bluestem Lake in 2011. They wanted to see if the lake's size had changed since it was built in 1958.
What the Study Found
The study showed that the lake had lost about 15 percent of its original water storage space. This means it can't hold quite as much water as it used to. However, the surface area of the lake, which is the top part you see, had only shrunk by a small amount. It was about 25 acres (0.10 km2) less, or 2.8 percent of its original size.
Why the Change Happened
The OWRB believes the main reason for the lost water storage is sedimentation. This happens when dirt, sand, and other tiny bits of material wash into the lake and settle at the bottom. Over many years, these layers of sediment can fill up some of the lake's space.
Future Studies
The OWRB also said that the way they measured the lake in 2011 might have been different from how it was measured in 1958. This could affect the results. They suggested doing another study in 10 to 15 years. This would help them better understand how sedimentation affects Bluestem Lake over time.
Helping Fish in the Lake
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has worked to make Bluestem Lake a better home for fish.
New Fish Homes
On December 18, 2017, the ODWC put special structures into the lake. These structures are called "spider blocks." They are made of pipes cemented into heavy cinder blocks. They look a bit like large spiders because of the pipes sticking out. Each spider block is about 8 feet (2.4 m) by 8 feet (2.4 m).
Where They Are Located
The ODWC placed 27 of these spider blocks together in each habitat area. These new fish homes were installed near the north end of the Bluestem Dam spillway.
Why They Help Fish
These structures create good hiding and living places for fish. The ODWC says that fish like crappie, sunfish, and bass are especially drawn to these new habitats. They provide shelter and places for smaller fish to hide from bigger fish.
