Oologah Dam

Oologah Dam is a gravity dam located in Rogers County, Oklahoma, built in 1963. It carries a High hazard potential classification.

About Oologah Dam

The primary purpose of Oologah Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Tulsa District (federal). It impounds the Verdigris River near Catoosa.

The dam stands 137 feet tall and stretches 4,328 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 31,040 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,559,270 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4,339 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/30/2023.

At 137 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Oklahoma dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardNot Available ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateOklahoma
CountyRogers
Nearest CityCatoosa
River/StreamVerdigris River
Coordinates36.42235, -95.68019

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height137 ft
Dam Height137 ft
Dam Length4,328 ft
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,559,270 acre-ft
Max Storage1,559,270 acre-ft
Normal Storage552,210 acre-ft
Surface Area31,040 acres
Drainage Area4,339 sq mi
Max Discharge236,600 cfs
Spillway TypeControlled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerUSACE - Tulsa District
Owner TypeFederal
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentNot Available
Last Inspection10/30/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDOK10310
Federal IDOK10310
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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