Tenkiller Ferry Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenkiller Ferry Lake |
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Tenkiller Ferry Lake and Dam
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 Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Location in Oklahoma
Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cherokee / Sequoyah counties, Oklahoma, US |
| Coordinates | 35°39′29″N 94°59′31″W / 35.65806°N 94.99194°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Illinois River |
| Primary outflows | Illinois River |
| Catchment area | 1,610 square miles (4,170 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 35 miles (56,327 m) |
| Surface area | 12,900 acres (5,200 ha) |
| Water volume | 677,000 acre⋅ft (0.835 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 130 miles (210 km) |
| Surface elevation | 632 feet (193 m) |
| Islands | Goat Island |
| Settlements | Muskogee, Oklahoma |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Tenkiller Ferry Lake, often called "Lake Tenkiller," is a large reservoir (an artificial lake) in eastern Oklahoma. It was created by building a dam across the Illinois River. The dam was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1947 and 1952. The lake officially opened in 1953.
This lake helps control floods, generates power, supplies water, and is a popular spot for fun activities. The lake and dam are named after the Tenkiller family. They were important Cherokee people who owned the land and a ferry that were bought for the project. Lake Tenkiller is the sixth largest lake in Oklahoma by how much water it can hold.
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Exploring Lake Tenkiller's Location
Lake Tenkiller covers about 12,900 acres (52 square kilometers). It has a long shoreline, over 130 miles (210 km) long. The lake is located in the Cookson Hills, which are part of the Ozark Mountains. You can find it in Cherokee and Sequoyah counties.
The lake is about seven miles (11 km) northeast of Gore. It is also about 10 miles (16 km) from where I-40 and the Muskogee Turnpike meet.
- It is about 150 miles (240 km) east of Oklahoma City.
- It is about 50 miles (80 km) west of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
- It is about 75 miles (121 km) southeast of Tulsa.
- It is about 30 miles (48 km) from Muskogee.
One town near the lake is Paradise Hill. It is on the far southwestern side of the lake. This area is known for its sudden deep spots. The water can go from shallow (waist-deep) to very deep (over your head) quickly. Always be careful and know the water depth when swimming or boating.
How Lake Tenkiller Makes Electricity
The hydroelectric power station at Lake Tenkiller helps make electricity. It is controlled remotely from Fort Gibson Lake. There are two generators, each able to produce 17 megawatts of power. Together, they can make 34 megawatts (MWe). For short times, the facility can even handle 40 MWe. The amount of power made depends on how high the lake's water level is.
Lake Tenkiller as a Water Source
When the lake was first built, providing water was not the main goal. However, the water quality from Lake Tenkiller was much better than water from the nearby Arkansas River. Today, the cities of Muskogee and Sallisaw use a lot of water from the lake.
Fun Activities at Lake Tenkiller
Lake Tenkiller is a great place for many outdoor activities. You can enjoy:
- Scuba diving
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Golfing
- Water sports
There are also eight miles (13 km) of special areas for trout fishing along the Illinois River. The lake has ten marinas, fourteen parks, and 24 boat launching ramps. You can also find five floating restaurants and many islands. One famous island is Goat Island, known for the goats that live there!
Scuba divers can even explore the remains of old communities. These towns, like the original Cookson, were flooded when the lake was created.
Parks Around the Lake
Several parks are located along the shores of Lake Tenkiller. These include Tenkiller State Park, Cherokee Landing State Park, and several parks managed by the Corps of Engineers. These parks offer places to camp, picnic, and enjoy the lake.
Wildlife at Lake Tenkiller
The area around Lake Tenkiller is home to many different animals. You might see:
- Canada geese
- White-tailed deer
- Ducks
- Monarch butterflies
- Warblers
- Otters
- Mink
- Beaver
- Bear
- Mountain lion
- Wild hogs
- Wild turkey
- Bald eagles
Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area
The Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area is a special place for wildlife. It covers about 2,950 acres (11,900,000 m2) on the southwest side of the lake. This area has two main types of habitats:
- Upland areas: These parts are higher up and covered with oak and hickory trees.
- Riparian areas: These parts are along the riverbanks and have trees like willow, sycamore, hackberry, elm, ash, and birch.
This management area helps protect the animals and plants that live there.
