Spavinaw
Spavinaw is an earth dam located in Mayes County, Oklahoma, built in 1922. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Spavinaw
The primary purpose of Spavinaw 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 Tulsa (local government). It impounds the Spavinaw Creek near Spavinaw.
The dam stands 75 feet tall and stretches 2,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,584 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 72,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 390 square miles. Completed in 1922, the structure is over a century 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 03/10/2022.
At 75 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 | Mayes |
| Nearest City | Spavinaw |
| River/Stream | Spavinaw Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.38252, -95.04839 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1922 (104 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 72,400 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 72,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 38,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,584 acres |
| Drainage Area | 390 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 275,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF TULSA |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK11025 |
| Federal ID | OK11025 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |