Pine Creek Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Creek Lake |
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| Location | McCurtain and Pushmataha Counties, Oklahoma |
| River sources | Little River (Red River) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Built | 1969 |
| Surface area | 3,750 acres (15.2 km2) |
| Water volume | 53,750 acre-feet (66,300,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 79 miles (127 km) |
| Surface elevation | 438 feet (134 m) |
| Settlements | Valiant, Oklahoma |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Pine Creek Lake is a large lake located in southeastern Oklahoma, USA. It stretches across parts of McCurtain County and Pushmataha County. You can find it about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of Valliant, Oklahoma. It is also east of Rattan and north of Sobol.
This lake was started in 1963 and finished in 1969. It holds back the waters of the Little River, Pine Creek, and Turkey Creek. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers looks after the lake. They manage it to help control floods, provide water, protect fish and wildlife, and offer fun activities. The nearby Pine Creek Wildlife Management Area also helps with these goals.
Contents
About Pine Creek Lake
Pine Creek Lake covers a big area of about 3,750 acres (15.2 square kilometers). It has a long shoreline, stretching for about 74 miles (119 kilometers). The lake's normal water level is 438 feet (133 meters) above sea level.
How the Lake Helps
The lake has a special purpose to control floods. When there is a lot of rain, the lake can hold extra water. This stops floods from damaging towns and farms downstream. Its flood storage can hold a huge amount of water, reaching an elevation of 480 feet (146 meters) above sea level.
The Pine Creek Dam
The dam that creates Pine Creek Lake is made of rolled earth. It is very long, stretching about 7,712 feet (2,351 meters). The dam is also quite tall, rising 124 feet (38 meters) above the riverbed. The total length of the dam, including its dikes and spillway, is about 22,470 feet (6.8 kilometers).
Spillway Details
The dam has a special part called an uncontrolled saddle spillway. This is like a safety valve for the lake. If the water level gets too high, the spillway lets extra water flow out safely. This helps protect the dam and the areas around it.
Wildlife and Nature
Pine Creek Lake is an important place for nature. It divides the Little River into two parts: an upper section and a lower section. Another lake, Millwood Lake in Arkansas, is also on the Little River.
Next to Pine Creek Lake, there is a large area called the Pine Creek Wildlife Management Area. This area covers about 10,280 acres (41.6 square kilometers). It provides a safe home for many different animals and plants. It is a great place for people to enjoy nature and observe wildlife.
