Comanche
Comanche is an earth dam located in Stephens County, Oklahoma, built in 1960. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Comanche
The primary purpose of Comanche 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 Comanche (local government). It impounds the Tr-south Fork Deer Cr near Courtney.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 184 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,800 acre-feet. Completed in 1960, 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. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/14/2022.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% 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 | Stephens |
| Nearest City | Courtney |
| River/Stream | Tr-south Fork Deer Cr |
| Coordinates | 34.36689, -97.88797 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 184 acres |
| Max Discharge | 1,180 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF COMANCHE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK13279 |
| Federal ID | OK13279 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |