Optima Lake
| Optima Lake | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Optima Lake and Dam | |
| Location | Texas County, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 36°39′57.39″N 101°8′12.44″W / 36.6659417°N 101.1367889°WCoordinates: 36°39′57.39″N 101°8′12.44″W / 36.6659417°N 101.1367889°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
Optima Lake is a reservoir in Texas County, Oklahoma. The lake is located near the towns of Hardesty and Guymon in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The lake has never reached more than 5 percent of its design capacity[1], and now is effectively empty. Rapid declines in streamflow (related to large-scale pumping from the High Plains Aquifer) coincided with the completion of dam construction[1] to make this lake a dramatic example of unanticipated environmental impacts.
The US Army Corps of Engineers states (emphasis added):
Visitors should be aware that the lake's level can be very low. Depending on rainfall and evaporation rates, the lake may offer no water-based recreation and may not be suitable for swimming, fishing, boating or other activities.[2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Wahl, K & R. L. Tortorelli, 1996. "Changes in flow in the Beaver-North Canadian River Basin Upstream from Canton Lake, Western Oklahoma", USGS WRI 96-4304
- ^ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Optima Lake website
Lake camping facilities and buildings have been dismantled for public safety by the Army Corp of Engineers as of 10/2010, road is currently closed.
[edit] References
- R. Lowitt, 2002. "Optima Dam: A Failed Effort to Irrigate the Oklahoma Panhandle", Agricultural History, 76(2):260-72
[edit] External links
- Oklahoma Water Resources Board Optima factsheet. The image on the first page shows the lake at its maximum level since dam construction
- 2006 Geological Society of America press release – Lessons to be learned from sites like Optima
- USGS online discharge data for inflow to reservoir (1937-1993)
- Optima Lake information on TravelOK.com Official travel and tourism website for the State of Oklahoma
