Oologah Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Oologah |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Lake Oologah
Location in Oklahoma
Lake Oologah
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Rogers / Nowata counties, Oklahoma, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°33′N 95°36′W / 36.55°N 95.60°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Verdigris River |
| Primary outflows | Verdigris River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 29,000 acres (120 km2) |
| Average depth | 5.7 metres (19 ft) |
| Max. depth | 24.4 metres (80 ft) |
| Water volume | 522,210 acre-feet (644,140,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 109 days (9,400 ks) |
| Shore length1 | 209 mi (336 km) |
| Surface elevation | 638 ft (194 m) |
| Islands | 3 |
| Settlements | Oologah, Nowata, Claremore |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Oologah is a large lake in northeastern Oklahoma. It is actually a reservoir, which means it's a man-made lake. You can find it near the towns of Oologah, Nowata, and Claremore.
This lake covers about 29,500 acres (119 km²) of water. It has a very long shoreline, stretching about 209 miles (336 km). Along its edges, you'll find 11 parks where people can visit. Lake Oologah can hold a huge amount of water, over 552,000 acre-feet (681 million m³). The lake was created along the Verdigris River. It's an important source of drinking water for the Tulsa area. The main reasons for building the dam and lake were to control floods, supply water, help boats travel, offer fun activities, and protect fish and wildlife.
Contents
Building Lake Oologah
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built and still manages Lake Oologah. This project was approved by a law called the Flood Control Act of 1938. Construction on the dam and lake began in 1950.
Construction Timeline
Work on the lake stopped in 1951 but started again in 1955. Most of the project was finished by 1963. All parts of the lake and dam were fully ready by 1974.
Water for Tulsa
In 1976, the City of Tulsa built a pipeline. This pipeline connects Lake Oologah to another water storage area in Tulsa. The water from Lake Oologah is cleaned at a special plant. This plant was built in 1974 and has been made bigger since then. It can now clean a lot of water every day for the people of Tulsa.
About the Dam
The Oologah Dam is an earth-fill dam. This means it's made mostly of earth and rock. It stands about 137 feet (42 meters) tall above the river bed. The dam itself is about 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) long.
Dam Features
The dam has a special part called a spillway. This spillway is about 2 miles (3 km) east of the dam. It has seven large gates that can open to let extra water out safely.
Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Lake Oologah offers many fun activities for visitors. You can go swimming at the beach or try mountain biking. There's also a marina for boats.
Camping and Picnics
If you like camping, you can choose between RV (recreational vehicle) or tent camping. There are also picnic tables for outdoor meals and a playground for kids.
Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail
On the east side of the lake, you'll find the Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail. This trail winds around the shore for 18 miles (29 km). It goes from the Spillway to Blue Creek Park.
Will Rogers' Birthplace
The famous American actor, philosopher, cowboy, and writer, Will Rogers, was born nearby. His birthplace, the Dog Iron Ranch, now sits on the shores of Lake Oologah. The ranch was moved to this spot when the lake basin was filled with water.
