Kaw Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kaw Lake |
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Looking North from the road over the dam across the Arkansas River July 14, 2007
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 Kaw Lake
Location in Oklahoma
Kaw Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kay / Osage counties, Oklahoma, US |
| Coordinates | 36°46′15″N 96°50′01″W / 36.7708°N 96.8335°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 17,000 acres (69 km2) |
| Water volume | 428,000 acre⋅ft (528,000,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 168 mi (270 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,010 ft (310 m) |
| Settlements | Ponca City, Oklahoma |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Kaw Lake is a large reservoir (an artificial lake) in northern Oklahoma, in the United States. It was finished in 1976 and is located near Kaw City. This big lake is about 8 miles (13 km) east of Ponca City.
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Building Kaw Lake and Dam
Kaw Lake was created by building the Kaw Dam across the Arkansas River. The dam is very long, stretching 9,466 feet (2,885 m) across the river. It stands 121 feet (37 m) tall above the riverbed.
The idea for Kaw Dam was approved by the United States Congress in 1962. Construction started on May 21, 1966. The Corps of Engineers finished building the dam in May 1976. The total cost for the dam and lake was about $111 million.
A New Home for Kaw City
When the lake was being filled in 1975, the original town of Kaw City was covered by the water. Because of this, the town had to be rebuilt. A new Kaw City was built about two miles west of the old spot during the late 1960s. Today, the new Kaw City sits on a hill overlooking the lake.
Size and Location of Kaw Lake
Kaw Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Oklahoma. It covers about 17,040 acres (69.0 km2) of land, making it the seventh largest lake in the state by surface area. When the lake is at its normal level, it holds a huge amount of water, about 428,600 acre-feet (528,700,000 m3). This makes it the ninth largest lake in Oklahoma by how much water it can hold.
Most of Kaw Lake is located in Kay County, with a smaller part in Osage County. The southern end of the lake is about 8 miles (13 km) east of Ponca City. Another nearby town, Newkirk, is about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the northern part of the lake.
Generating Electricity at Kaw Dam
The Kaw Dam also helps make electricity! In 1987, a group called the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) bought part of the dam. They then built a hydroelectric plant there, which was finished in 1989. This plant uses the power of the water flowing through the dam to generate electricity.
The Kaw Hydroelectric plant produces a lot of energy every year. It helps provide power for over 35 towns and cities in Oklahoma and southern Kansas.
Fun Things to Do at Kaw Lake
Kaw Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. You can go camping on the west shore of the lake at a spot called Ponca Cove. This area is managed by the Corps of Engineers and Camp McFadden.
Camp McFadden: Outdoor Adventures
Camp McFadden is a large outdoor area covering over 250 acres (1.0 km2). It is located on the west side of Kaw Lake, near Ponca City. This camp was started in 1927 as a children's camp.
Camp McFadden offers many fun activities and facilities, including:
- High and low ropes courses for exciting challenges
- Cabins and a lodge with a kitchen for overnight stays
- Areas for RV and tent camping
- Outdoor activities like team building, reunions, and youth camps
In the future, Camp McFadden plans to add even more fun things, such as a volleyball court, a disc golf course, a softball field, a soccer field, and an archery range. Camp McFadden is a non-profit organization, which means it uses its money to support its programs and facilities.
