Brown Lake dam
Brown Lake
Brown Lake, located in Frink-Chambers, Oklahoma, is a captivating water resource managed by the US Army for water supply purposes. The lake, completed in 1943, boasts an impressive dam height of 21 feet and a hydraulic height of 31 feet, providing a storage capacity of 10,620 acre-feet. With a surface area of 548 acres and a drainage area of 17 square miles, Brown Lake serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community.
This Federal-owned and operated reservoir on Bull Creek offers additional benefits beyond water supply, including opportunities for fish and wildlife activities, recreation, and conservation. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam at Brown Lake is well-maintained, with inspections conducted every four years and a spillway width of 335 feet for controlled water release. The lake's scenic location and strategic design make it a valuable asset for both water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable management practices and outdoor recreation.
With its historical significance and ongoing role in water management, Brown Lake stands as a testament to the collaboration between federal agencies like the US Army and Navy in ensuring a reliable water supply for the region. Its diverse uses, from supporting aquatic life to providing recreational opportunities, make it a cherished destination for residents and visitors alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Brown Lake serves as a model for responsible stewardship and sustainable practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Brown Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian River At Calvin | 354 cfs | → |
| Kiamichi River Near Clayton | 680 cfs | → |
| North Canadian River Near Wetumka | 214 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Sasakwa | 57 cfs | → |
| Muddy Boggy Creek Near Farris | 2,430 cfs | → |
| Fourche Maline Near Red Oak | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Lake.
Boat launches
- N4190 Road Pushmataha County
- Ok 43 Pushmataha County
- Southwest 1026th Avenue Latimer County
- Ash Creek Road Latimer County
Track Brown Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Brown Lake
Where does the data for Brown Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Brown Lake.