W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam #14 |
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 35°18′58″N 94°33′32″W / 35.3161°N 94.5589°W |
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Status | Complete |
| Construction began | May, 1966 |
| Operator(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Arkansas River |
| Length | 7,400 feet (2,300 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Active capacity | 15768 acre-feet |
| Surface area | 1595 acres |
| Maximum water depth | 10 feet |
| Normal elevation | 413 feet |
The W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam is an important structure on the Arkansas River. It helps boats travel along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, also known as MKARNS. This system allows ships to move goods across Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The dam is located about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is the first lock and dam you find west of the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line.
This facility is named after W. D. Mayo, a businessman from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He was a community leader who worked hard to develop the river for travel. The number 14 means it's the fourteenth facility in the MKARNS system. It is found in LeFlore and Sequoyah Counties in Oklahoma.
Building the Dam
Construction of the W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam began in May 1966. The main parts of the dam were finished on October 15, 1970. It started working for boats and ships in December 1970. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and operates this dam.
The water held back by the dam forms a large pool. This pool covers an area of 1,595 acres (6.45 km2). It can hold about 15,800 acre-feet (19,500,000 m3) of water. The area of land that drains water into the river above the dam is very large, about 148,084 square miles (383,540 km2).
How the Dam Works
The dam is 7,400 foot (2,300 m) long. It has a concrete base and special gates called tainter gates. These gates are separated by strong concrete piers, which are like tall pillars.
Machines on the piers operate the gates. There are twelve tainter gates, each 60 feet (18 m) wide and 21 feet (6.4 m) tall. These gates control the water flow.
The lock part of the dam is like a water elevator for boats. It has a chamber that is 110 feet (34 m) wide and 600 feet (180 m) long. This chamber can lift or lower boats by about 20 feet (6.1 m) normally, and up to 22 feet (6.7 m) at most. This allows boats to move between different water levels.
Fun Things to Do at the Dam
The W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam area offers many fun activities. There are three special spots along the lake for boat ramps. These are Arkoma Park, LeFlore Landing, and Wilson's Rock. You can launch your boat from these places.
Other popular activities include:
- Boating
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Water skiing
- Jet skiing
- Sailing
- Watching wildlife
Pets are also welcome to join in the fun!
