Robert S. Kerr Lock And Dam
Robert S. Kerr Lock And Dam is a gravity dam located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Robert S. Kerr Lock And Dam
The primary purpose of Robert S. Kerr Lock And Dam is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by Usace - Tulsa District (federal). It impounds the Arkansas River near Redland.
The dam stands 82 feet tall and stretches 7,230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 32,800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 525,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 147,756 square miles. Completed in 1970, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/27/2023.
At 82 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Le Flore |
| Nearest City | Redland |
| River/Stream | Arkansas River |
| Coordinates | 35.34679, -94.77740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 82 ft |
| Dam Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 7,230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 525,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 525,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 525,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 32,800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 147,756 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,542,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | USACE - Tulsa District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 02/27/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK10301 |
| Federal ID | OK10301 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |