Wafford Lake dam
Wafford Lake
Wafford Lake, located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, is a private recreational lake with a dam completed in 1941. The earth dam, with a height of 35 feet and a length of 420 feet, serves as a controlled spillway for the lake. The primary purpose of the lake is recreation, offering a surface area of 49 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 950 acre-feet.
Managed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Wafford Lake is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Despite being not rated in condition assessment, the lake remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region, providing a scenic and relaxing environment for outdoor activities.
With its picturesque location and recreational opportunities, Wafford Lake continues to attract visitors seeking a tranquil escape in the midst of nature. The lake's association with Wells Creek and proximity to Pocola, Oklahoma, make it a convenient destination for locals and tourists alike. As a vital water resource in the area, Wafford Lake serves as a testament to the importance of stewardship and conservation efforts in maintaining the balance of our climate and environment.
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 Wafford Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James Fork Near Hackett | 17 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Ft. Smith | 232 cfs | → |
| Poteau River Near Panama | 259 cfs | → |
| Lee Creek Near Short | 89 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Cauthron | 24 cfs | → |
| Poteau River At Loving | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wafford Lake.
Boat launches
- Ok 9a Arkoma
- Fort Coffee
- Old Harbor Road 10766, Fort Smith
- Brown Quail Trace Barling
- North Water Street 2885, Van Buren
Campgrounds
- Fort Chaffee Rv Military
- Lee Creek Public Use Area
- Short Mountain Cove - Kerr Reservoir
- Charleston Lake
- Cowlington Point - Kerr Reservoir
- Applegate Cove - Kerr Reservoir
Fishing spots
Track Wafford 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 Wafford Lake
Where does the data for Wafford 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 Low 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 Wafford Lake.