Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Eufaula |
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Aerial view of Lake and Dam
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 Lake Eufaula
Location in Oklahoma
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| Location | Haskell / McIntosh / Pittsburg counties, Oklahoma, US |
| Coordinates | 35°16′51″N 95°31′47″W / 35.28083°N 95.52972°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | North and South Canadian Rivers |
| Primary outflows | Canadian River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 102,000 acres (410 km2) |
| Average depth | 23 ft (7.0 m) (avg.) |
| Max. depth | 87 ft (27 m) |
| Water volume | 2,099,000 acre-feet (2.589×109 m3) (full pool) |
| Shore length1 | 600 mi (970 km) |
| Surface elevation | 585 ft (178 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Eufaula is a very large man-made lake, also called a reservoir, located in Oklahoma. It sits on the Canadian River, not far from the town of Eufaula. This huge lake spreads across parts of McIntosh, Pittsburg, Haskell, and Okmulgee counties.
Water flows into Lake Eufaula from the Canadian, North Fork Canadian, and Deep Fork rivers. It is the biggest lake in Oklahoma by how much water it can hold. It has a surface area of about 102,000 acres (410 km2) and a shoreline that stretches for about 600 miles (970 km).
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Building Lake Eufaula: A Big Project
The idea for Lake Eufaula started in 1946 when the U.S. Congress decided it was a good plan. The main goals were to control floods, make electricity, provide water, help boats travel, and create fun places for people to visit.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began building the Eufaula Dam in 1956. This huge wall is about 975 meters (3,199 ft) long. The dam was finished in 1964. On September 25, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson came to Oklahoma to officially open the dam. The dam holds back a lake that covers more than 412 square kilometres (159 sq mi).
The power station at the dam was built to make 90,000 kilowatts of electricity from the lake's water. This is called hydroelectric power.
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The Corps of Engineers reported in 2015 that the Eufaula project cost about $121.4 million to build. Since it was completed, it has helped prevent a lot of damage from floods, saving hundreds of millions of dollars. Many people love to visit Lake Eufaula, with about 2.5 million visitors coming each year.
In the spring of 2015, there were very heavy rains. Lake Eufaula's water level rose quickly. The Corps of Engineers had to open the flood gates and let out a lot of water. This was the most water released since 1990.
The Eufaula Dam Structure
| Eufaula Dam | |
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| Location | East of Eufaula, Oklahoma |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1956 |
| Opening date | 1964 |
| Owner(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Earthen embankment, concrete gravity composite |
| Impounds | Canadian River |
| Height | 114 ft (35 m) |
| Length | 3,200 ft (975 m) |
| Spillways | 11 |
| Spillway type | Tainter gate-controlled ogee weir |
| Spillway capacity | 465,000 cu ft/s (13,167 m3/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Eufaula Lake |
| Surface area | 102,000 acres (413 km2) |
| Power station | |
| Commission date | 1964 |
| Turbines | 3 x 30 MW |
| Installed capacity | 90 MW |
The Eufaula Dam is located east of the city of Eufaula, Oklahoma. It is about 3,200 feet (975 m) long and 114 feet (35 m) high. The dam is made of earth and concrete.
The power plant at the dam has three large machines called turbines. Each turbine can make 30 megawatts of power, for a total of 90 megawatts. Construction on the dam started in 1956. The river was closed off in February 1964, and the generators started making electricity in September 1964. You can drive across the top of the dam on State Highway 71.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Eufaula
Lake Eufaula is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. You can go boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. There are also places for hunting, golfing, and horseback riding.
The lake has many picnic areas, boat ramps, and places to swim. You can find campsites for tents and RVs, cabins, and even an enclosed fishing dock. These facilities are available at Lake Eufaula State Park and the Arrowhead Area at Lake Eufaula State Park.
Lake Eufaula is well-known for fishing tournaments. Anglers from all over the United States come to catch different types of fish. Some of the fish you can find include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and sandbass.
Former State Park Lodges
Oklahoma created two state parks, Arrowhead and Fountainhead, to offer fun activities and camping at the lake. The state borrowed money to build a lodge at each park. Over time, these lodges changed ownership.
Arrowhead Lodge was later bought by a non-profit group and became a treatment facility called Narconon Arrowhead. Fountainhead Lodge was eventually torn down. However, some of the land from Fountainhead is now being planned for new tourist attractions, including restaurants and entertainment.
Marinas at Lake Eufaula
Here is a list of some marinas located on Lake Eufaula:
- Area 51 Marina
- Belle Starr Marina
- Duchess Creek Marina
- Eufaula Cove Marina
- Evergreen Marina
- Lake Eufaula Marina
- No. 9 Marina
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Lake and Dam
