Scs-upper Elk Creek Site-23a
Scs-upper Elk Creek Site-23a is an earth dam located in Beckham County, Oklahoma, built in 1976. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Scs-upper Elk Creek Site-23a
The primary purpose of Scs-upper Elk Creek Site-23a 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 Beckham Co Cons Dist (state). It impounds the Tr-elk Cr near Elk City.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 1,690 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 740 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 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. 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 07/15/2011. That was 14 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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 | Beckham |
| Nearest City | Elk City |
| River/Stream | Tr-elk Cr |
| Coordinates | 35.43017, -99.42351 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,690 ft |
| Year Completed | 1976 (50 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 740 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 740 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,430 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | BECKHAM CO CONS DIST |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/15/2011 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | OK20675 |
| Federal ID | OK20675 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |