R. James Unruh Reservoir
R. James Unruh Reservoir is an earth dam located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About R. James Unruh Reservoir
The primary purpose of R. James Unruh Reservoir 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 City Of Tulsa (local government). It impounds the . near Tulsa.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 13,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 325 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet. Completed in 1950, 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 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 02/11/2022.
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 | Tulsa |
| Nearest City | Tulsa |
| River/Stream | . |
| Coordinates | 36.12669, -95.76245 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 13,300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 325 acres |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF TULSA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/11/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK13300 |
| Federal ID | OK13300 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |