Lake Thunderbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Thunderbird |
|
|---|---|
Lake Thunderbird from the water surface.
|
|
 Lake Thunderbird
Location in Oklahoma
Lake Thunderbird
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 35°13′15″N 97°13′05″W / 35.220833°N 97.218056°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Little River |
| Primary outflows | Little River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 5,349 acres (8.358 sq mi; 21.65 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 1,039 ft (317 m) |
Lake Thunderbird is a large man-made lake, also called a reservoir, located in Norman, Oklahoma. It was built between 1962 and 1965. Its main purpose is to provide clean drinking water to nearby cities. These include Del City, Midwest City, and Norman.
The lake was created by building a huge earth dam. This dam is 7,300 feet (2,200 m) long and up to 144 feet (44 m) high. It holds back the waters of the Little River. Besides being a source of water, Lake Thunderbird is also a very popular place for many fun outdoor activities.
The lake gets its name from the Native American legend of the Thunderbird. This is a powerful and strong supernatural bird. Many local people sometimes call the lake "Lake Dirtybird." This is because the water can often look a bit murky.
Contents
Building the Lake and Dam
For many years, experts studied the Little River valley. They looked at ways to control floods in the area. By 1953, local cities like Norman and Midwest City realized they would soon need more water. They predicted that by the 1970s and 1980s, they would need all available water.
So, in 1954, a study was done to see if building a lake was possible. A plan was ready by May 1961. Construction on the Norman Dam began in 1962.
Oklahoma State Highway 9 was moved in 1963 to its current spot, south of the lake. The dam and lake were finished in 1965. The United States Bureau of Reclamation built them. This earthen dam is 144 feet (44 m) tall. It can hold a huge amount of water. The Bureau owns the dam, but a local group helps manage it.
Fun at Lake Thunderbird
Lake Thunderbird is a great place for many outdoor activities. You can go boating, fishing, and hiking here. The lake has two marinas and a boathouse. These are run by volunteers.
The Boathouse Organization works with the Lake Thunderbird Education Foundation. Together, they host many events each year. These include sailing lessons and sailing camps for kids. They also have a special fishing derby for children with disabilities. Plus, there are sailboat races and fun regattas.
Many kinds of fish live in the lake. These include large-mouth bass, crappie, sunfish, and channel catfish. White bass and saugeye are also found here.
Lake Thunderbird State Park
The lake is the main feature of Lake Thunderbird State Park. This park covers about 6,000 acres (24 km²). Besides water activities, the park offers other fun things to do. You can go hunting, rent horses, or ride on equestrian trails. There are also hiking and mountain biking trails.
The park has a nature center and an archery range. You can stay overnight at the park. There are 447 simple campsites and small lake huts. You can also find spots for RVs. The park is close to two casinos. It used to have its own restaurant, the Clear Bay Cafe. This restaurant was open seasonally and you could reach it by boat or car. Sadly, it closed after being badly damaged by floods in 2015. Also, in 2010, a tornado hit the Little River Marina. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2012.
Eagle Watching
Lake Thunderbird is a stop for bald eagles during their winter journey. Bald eagles usually visit the lake from December through February. If you want to see them, guided eagle tours are available. These tours are provided by the Crow's Secret Nature Center.
Lake Details
The water temperature in the lake changes throughout the year. It can be around 86 °F (30 °C) in the summer. In winter, it drops to under 40 °F (4 °C). In the summer, the water about 30 feet (9.1 m) deep is cooler than the surface. During spring and fall, the surface water is usually about 60 °F (16 °C).
As of 2001, the lake's normal water level was 1,039 ft (317 m) above sea level. The deepest part of the lake was 58 ft (18 m). The average depth was about 15.4 ft (4.7 m). The top of the Lake Thunderbird Dam is 1,071 ft (326 m) above sea level. This is 32 ft (9.8 m) higher than the lake's normal level. The lake's surface area was 5,349 acres (21.65 km2). The total length of the shoreline is about 60 miles (97 km).
Over time, the lake's capacity has slightly decreased. This is due to sediment building up.
