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The Lake
 Fed
by the Illinois River, designated a scenic river in the 1970's,
Tenkiller Lake is a sparkling jewel located in the Cookson Hills
area of eastern Oklahoma, approx. 7 miles north of Gore. TenkillerLake
is one of the prettiest lakes in Oklahoma, and draws visitors
from all over, to enjoy the crystal clear waters and abundant
recreation. Covering 12,650 acres, and with 130 miles of scenic
shoreline, magnificent bluffs and deep coves, it is one of the
finest sailing lakes that will test a sailors abilities. The
lake has ten marinas and fourteen parks which are managed by
the State of Oklahoma or the Corps of Engineers. All levels of
campsite facilities are available, from primitive to full hook-up.
There are 24 boat launching ramps around the lake. Rental boats
of all kinds are available at most marinas. Available recreational
activities include swimming, skiing, sailing, fishing, power
boating, camping, hiking just to name a few. Another popular
activity on the lake is SCUBA diving. With its clear waters,
steep bluffs, and depths up to 165 ft., Tenkiller has become
a very popular destination for divers.
Tenkiller Ferry Dam
Completed
in 1953, it's the second highest dam in Oklahoma, at 97ft. Built
for flood control and hydroelectric power generation, the dam
consist of a rolled, impervious and semipervious earthfill about
3,000 feet long with a maximum height of 197 feet above the streambed.
Oklahoma State Highway 100 extends across the top of the dam
and spillway.
Spillway and Outlet Works
The
concrete, gravity spillway, has a total width of 590 feet. Spillway
capacity is 290,400 cfs at maximum pool (elevation 672.2) with
flow controlled by ten 50 X 25' tainter gates. A flood control
outlet consists of a 19-foot conduit. Capacity of the conduit
is 23,300 cfs at the top of the flood control pool. Flow through
the conduit is controlled by two 9 X 19' tractor-type service
gates . A 19' diameter penstock is provided through the narrow
ridge comprising the right abutment to the powerhouse. Operational
channel capacity below the dam is 10,800 cfs.
The new Auxiliary Spillway (Now
under construction)
7/13/02
UPDATE HERE
Since the
completion of Tenkiller Ferry Dam in 1953, there has not been
any major construction on the dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
performed a safety study of hundreds of dams in the United States
that posed a danger to life or property in the event of
a failure. It was determined that the existing structure was
sound, but inadequate for a "Probable Maximum Flood".
The existing spillway and outlet works would be able to pass
only 290,400 CFS at maximum flood pool elevation. That is only
85% of the projected need which could be generated by a probable
maximum flood. The new auxiliary spillway will increase the discharge
capability of Tenkiller Dam to a total of 541,400 CFS. The auxiliary
spillway will have 5 new tainter gates 35' tall X 50' wide. The
bottom of the new gates will sit at an elevation of 632.0,
normal lake elevation. The new spillway will be built in two
phases.
- Phase one involves relocations
of water, power and telephone lines. Timber will be cleared from
the hilltop. A section of rock and earth will be blasted away
and removed to an elevation well below normal pool. The new spillway
and discharge apron will be built in the excavated area. There
will be a batch plant erected on site to supply the concrete
to build the new structure. The construction period for phase
one will last for as long as four years. The highway will only
be closed for brief periods for blasting and other construction
related activities. Those closings should only last a few minutes
and should not inconvenience the public on a regular basis. Note:
All blasting has been completed for phase one. Blasting will
resume sometime during phase two.
- Phase two involves the paving
of the new roadway across the new bridge deck, removal of the
earth and rock plug left between in front of the new spillway
and construction of the approach channel to the new spillway.
After the new roadway is paved traffic will simply be redirected,
one day you'll drive on the old road and the next day on the
new. During the construction of the approach channel
some draw down of the lake may be necessary.
Notes:
During the construction
period the area below the dam will be restricted to
all visitors and restricted to all hunting and firearms
activities. The purpose of this restriction is for
the safety of visitors and the workers in the construction
area.
For more information you may call the Tenkiller Lake Office
(Corps of Engineers) at: (918) 487-5252
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