Lake Frances dam
Lake Frances
Lake Frances is a crucial water supply source located in Adair, Oklahoma, along the Illinois River. Constructed in 1931 with a storage capacity of 22,450 acre-feet, the dam stands at a height of 40 feet and serves as a regulated water source by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Managed by the local government, this reservoir plays a vital role in supplying water to the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Lake Frances remains a key water resource for the region, with a very high risk assessment indicating its importance in managing water supply challenges. The dam's controlled spillway ensures the efficient release of excess water, while the dam's structural integrity is continuously monitored through state inspections and enforcement measures. The dam's designer, Victor H. Cochrane, Consulting Engineer, played a significant role in its construction, emphasizing the expertise and attention to detail involved in creating this essential water supply infrastructure.
Located in Watts, Oklahoma, Lake Frances not only provides water for the community but also serves as a testament to the engineering ingenuity of its designer and the regulatory oversight of the state. With a focus on water supply, this reservoir stands as a critical piece of infrastructure in managing water resources and climate challenges in the region.
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 Lake Frances -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River Near Watts | 398 cfs | → |
| Illinois River South Of Siloam Springs | 206 cfs | → |
| Illinois River At Hwy. 16 Near Siloam Springs Ar | 329 cfs | → |
| Sager Creek Near West Siloam Springs | 14 cfs | → |
| Flint Cr Nr W Siloam Sprgs Ok | 15 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Kansas | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Frances.
Boat launches
- Cripps Road Benton County
- Lake Dam Cove Elm Springs
- Tiree Park Bella Vista
- Eddleston Drive 9, Bella Vista
- Stoneykirk Drive 116, Bella Vista
- Tunnel Vision Bella Vista
Campgrounds
- Natural Falls State Park
- Lake Wedington Recreation Area
- Lake Wedington Rec. Area
- Adair State Park
- Carters Landing - Tenkiller Ferry Lake
- Vacation Rentals
Fishing spots
Track Lake Frances 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 Lake Frances
Where does the data for Lake Frances 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 Undetermined 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 Lake Frances.