Lake Elmer Thomas Dam
Lake Elmer Thomas Dam is a gravity dam located in Comanche County, Oklahoma, built in 1993. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Elmer Thomas Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Elmer Thomas Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Us Fish And Wildlife Service (federal). It impounds the Little Medicine Creek near Medicine Park.
The dam stands 113 feet tall and stretches 421 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 342 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 11,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 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 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 09/25/2018. That was 7 years ago, which is on the longer end for a high-hazard structure.
At 113 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 | Comanche |
| Nearest City | Medicine Park |
| River/Stream | Little Medicine Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.72778, -98.51334 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 113 ft |
| Dam Height | 103 ft |
| Dam Length | 421 ft |
| Year Completed | 1993 (33 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 11,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 11,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,845 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 342 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 25,516 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/25/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK00466 |
| Federal ID | OK00466 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |