Deer Lake dam
Deer Lake
Deer Lake, located in Osage, Oklahoma, just 30 miles from Bartlesville, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. Constructed in 1955, this Earth dam stands at 15 feet high and spans 570 feet in length, with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. The lake has a normal storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, with a maximum storage of 124 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 29 acres and draining an area of 1.75 square miles, making it a popular destination for water enthusiasts in the region.
Managed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Deer Lake is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a controlled spillway type and a high hazard potential, the reservoir poses a very high risk, warranting close monitoring and risk management measures. Despite being classified as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the lake remains a beloved spot for outdoor activities, offering anglers, boaters, and nature lovers a tranquil setting to enjoy the water resources and climate of the area.
With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, Deer Lake serves as a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts in Oklahoma. As a tributary to Rock Creek and part of the Tulsa District, this reservoir provides not only a refuge for wildlife but also a place for residents and visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the region. While its high hazard potential may raise concerns, the proper management and oversight by state agencies ensure that Deer Lake remains a safe and enjoyable destination for all who seek to explore its waters and natural surroundings.
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 Deer Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Caney River Above Coon Creek At Bartlesville | 102 cfs | → |
| Caney R Nr Elgin | 53 cfs | → |
| Bird Creek At Avant | 124 cfs | → |
| Hominy Creek Near Hominy | 2 cfs | → |
| Caney River Near Ramona | 377 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Ralston | 1,490 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Lake.
Boat launches
- Osage County
- Bull Creek Peninsula Boat Ramp
- Osage Park Boat Ramp
- Major General Clarence L. Tinker Memorial Highway Osage County
Track Deer 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 Deer Lake
Where does the data for Deer 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 Deer Lake.