Map of All 5,007 Oklahoma Dams
Oklahoma has 5,007 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 445 are classified as high hazard (9% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 38 Oklahoma dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Oklahoma dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Oklahoma to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Oklahoma Dams by the Numbers
- 5,007 total dams in Oklahoma
- 445 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 207 significant hazard
- 4,301 low hazard
- 60 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (46 poor, 14 unsatisfactory)
- 38 Oklahoma dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Oklahoma
The tallest dam in Oklahoma is Broken Bow Dam at 225 feet, completed in 1968. The 10 tallest Oklahoma dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Bow Dam | 225 ft | 1968 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | McCurtain |
| Broken Bow Dam – Reregulation Dam | 225 ft | 1968 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | McCurtain |
| Tenkiller Ferry Dam | 197 ft | 1952 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sequoyah |
| Tenkiller Ferry Dam – Dike | 197 ft | 1952 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sequoyah |
| Chimney Rock Pump Storage | 195 ft | 1968 | Hydroelectric | Poor | Mayes |
| Stan Raetz Dam | 174 ft | – | Other | Not Rated | Caddo |
| Denison Dam – Cumberland Levee | 165 ft | 1944 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Bryan |
| Denison Dam | 165 ft | 1944 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Bryan |
| McGee Creek Dam | 161 ft | 1968 | – | Not Available | Atoka |
| Pensacola | 155 ft | 1940 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Mayes |
High-Hazard Oklahoma Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 38 dams in Oklahoma. Notable examples:
- Chimney Rock Pump Storage (195 ft, Mayes County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Lake Ellsworth (96 ft, Comanche County) — Water Supply, Unsatisfactory condition
- Lake Carl Blackwell (72 ft, Payne County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Okmulgee Lake (68 ft, Okmulgee County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Shell Creek Lake Dam (65 ft, Osage County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Oklahoma
Dam safety in Oklahoma is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has 5,007 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 445 high hazard, 207 significant hazard, and 4,301 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Oklahoma?
The tallest dam in Oklahoma is Broken Bow Dam at 225 feet, completed in 1968. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many Oklahoma dams are in poor condition?
60 Oklahoma dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 38 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
