Fort Cobb Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Cobb Reservoir |
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Location | Caddo County, Oklahoma |
Coordinates | 35°12′N 98°29′W / 35.200°N 98.483°W |
Lake type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Cobb Creek, Lake Creek |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) |
Water volume | 143,700 acre-feet (177,300,000 m3) |
Shore length1 | 45 mi (72 km) |
Surface elevation | 1,342 feet (409 m) |
Settlements | Fort Cobb, Oklahoma Carnegie, Oklahoma |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Fort Cobb Reservoir, also known as Fort Cobb Lake, is a large reservoir in Caddo County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1958 by blocking the flow of Cobb Creek and Lake Creek. This created a lake that covers about 4,000 acres (16 square kilometers) of water. The lake has a shoreline that stretches for about 45 miles (72 kilometers).
The towns of Carnegie, Fort Cobb, and Eakly are all located close to Fort Cobb Lake.
Contents
Building Fort Cobb Dam
The Fort Cobb Dam is located on Cobb Creek. It is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of the town of Fort Cobb. The dam helps to control the water flow before Cobb Creek joins the Washita River.
The dam is made of earth and stands about 122 feet (37 meters) tall. It is a very long structure, stretching for 9,900 feet (3 kilometers) across the creek. The dam helps to hold back a lot of water. The reservoir can hold about 143,740 acre-feet of water. This means it can cover an area of 5,956 acres (24.1 square kilometers) when it's at its highest flood level.
Part of a Bigger Project
Fort Cobb Reservoir is an important part of the Washita Basin Project. This project was created by the Bureau of Reclamation. It also includes Foss Reservoir on the Washita River. The project helps manage water and control floods in the area.
Water from Fort Cobb Reservoir is used for important things. It provides drinking water for the city of Anadarko. It also supplies water to the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, which helps make electricity. This water travels through a system called the Anadarko Aqueduct, which starts at the reservoir.
Fun Activities at Fort Cobb Lake
Fort Cobb Reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. It offers over 2,000 acres (8 square kilometers) of land for recreation. There are also about 2,300 acres (9.3 square kilometers) of water for fun. The area also includes land and water set aside for wildlife.
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department manages the recreation areas. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation looks after the wildlife areas. Because the lake's water is mainly used for cities, industries, and flood control, its water levels usually stay pretty steady. This means there's always plenty of water for activities.
Fishing and Wildlife
Fort Cobb Lake is home to many kinds of fish. Some of the main fish species you can catch include white bass, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. You might also find walleye, bluegill, bullhead, saugeye, and crappie.
Camping and More
The lake has five improved camping areas. These are located on both the north and south sides of the lake. If you prefer a more natural experience, there are also many simple camping spots. These are found throughout Fort Cobb State Park and the wildlife management areas around the lake.