Kaw Dam
Kaw Dam is a gravity dam located in Osage County, Oklahoma, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Kaw Dam
The primary purpose of Kaw 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 Arkansas River near Ponca City.
The dam stands 125 feet tall and stretches 9,466 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 16,750 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,327,160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6,652 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 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 07/29/2024.
At 125 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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.
Location
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Osage |
| Nearest City | Ponca City |
| River/Stream | Arkansas River |
| Coordinates | 36.69882, -96.91959 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 125 ft |
| Dam Height | 125 ft |
| Dam Length | 9,466 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,327,160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,327,160 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 406,540 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 16,750 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6,652 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 616,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Tulsa District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 07/29/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK20509 |
| Federal ID | OK20509 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |