Pawnee Lake
Pawnee Lake is an earth dam located in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, built in 1932. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Pawnee Lake
The primary purpose of Pawnee Lake is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Pawnee (local government). It impounds the Skedee Creek near Pawnee.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 1,908 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 530 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,245 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 12 square miles. Completed in 1932, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/14/2022.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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.
Location
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pawnee |
| Nearest City | Pawnee |
| River/Stream | Skedee Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.35866, -96.80308 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,908 ft |
| Year Completed | 1932 (94 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,245 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,245 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,855 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 530 acres |
| Drainage Area | 12 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 18,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF PAWNEE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK11043 |
| Federal ID | OK11043 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |