Hugo Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hugo Lake |
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Hugo Lake in 2016
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 Hugo Lake
Location in Oklahoma
Hugo Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Choctaw County, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 34°04′04″N 95°24′59″W / 34.0677°N 95.4163°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Etymology | City of Hugo, Oklahoma |
| Primary inflows | Kiamichi River |
| Primary outflows | Kiamichi River |
| Managing agency | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (part), US Army Corps of Engineers (part) |
| Designation | flood control, water storage, and recreational opportunities |
| First flooded | January 1974 |
| Surface area | 13,250 acres (53.6 km2) |
| Water volume | 157,600 acre feet (194,400,000 m3) (normal); 966,700 acre feet (1.1924×109 m3) (flood) |
| Shore length1 | 110 miles (180 km) |
| Surface elevation | 404.5 feet (123.3 m) (normal); 437.5 feet (133.4 m) (flood) |
| Settlements | Hugo, Oklahoma |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Hugo Lake is a lake made by people in Oklahoma, United States. It's about 7 miles (11 km) east of the city of Hugo. This lake was created by building the Hugo Lake Dam on the Kiamichi River. The dam helps control floods, stores water, and offers lots of fun activities.
The lake has a shoreline of about 110 miles (180 km). It covers more than 13,250 acres (53.6 km2) of land. When the lake is at its normal level, it holds about 157,600 acre-feet (194,400,000 m3) of water. During floods, it can hold much more, up to 966,700 acre-feet (1.1924×109 m3) of water.
The closest big cities to Hugo Lake are Fort Smith, Arkansas (about 101 miles away), Dallas, Texas (about 114 miles away), and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (about 151 miles away).
How Hugo Lake Was Made
Work on the Hugo Lake Dam started in October 1967. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the dam. They finished the project in January 1974. It cost about $37 million to build.
In 1974, the US Army Corps of Engineers opened Kiamichi Park near the dam. Later, in 2002, part of this park became Hugo Lake State Park. Today, the state park covers about 289 acres (1.17 km2).
Fun Things to Do at Hugo Lake
The southern part of Hugo Lake is clear and great for water sports. You can go boating and water skiing there. The state park also has cabins, hiking trails, and a large marina with 56 places to dock boats.
The northern part of the lake is different. It has many dead tree stumps in the water. These stumps are perfect hiding spots for fish. This makes the northern end of the lake a great place for fishing. Hugo Lake is known for excellent crappie fishing. You can also find lots of bass and catfish here.
Besides fishing, you can also go hunting and animal trapping around Hugo Lake. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation looks after about 18,000 acres (73 km2) of land around the lake. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages another 8,000 acres. These areas are home to animals like white-tailed deer, waterfowl (like ducks and geese), mink, fox, and beaver.
Explore Hugo Lake State Park
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Hugo Lake State Park is located right on Hugo Lake. It's a fantastic place for boating and fishing. The park has 16 cabins with two bedrooms, perfect for a family stay. There are also 10 simple cabins for a more rustic experience.
The park features a full-service marina with 56 boat slips and a store. You can also rent pontoon boats there. If you like picnics, there are many picnic spots with grills and tables. For those who love to explore, there are trails for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature. You can even go tent camping at the park.
