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Key Information

Keystone Dam & Reservoir
Map
Interactive map of Keystone Dam & Reservoir
CountryUnited States
LocationOklahoma Pawnee / Osage / Creek / Tulsa counties, Oklahoma
PurposeFlood control, hydroelectric power generation, wildlife management and recreation
StatusOperational
Construction began1957
Opening date1968
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsArkansas River
Length4,600 feet
Elevation at crest766 feet (max)
Spillways1
Spillway typeGated ogee weir
Spillway capacity939,000 cfs max.
Reservoir
Surface area23,600 sq. ft.
Power Station
TurbinesHydraulic (2)
Installed capacity35,000 KW each

Keystone Lake is a reservoir in northeastern Oklahoma on the Arkansas and Cimarron rivers. It is located upstream about 23 miles (37 km) from Tulsa.[2] It was created in 1968 when the Keystone Dam was completed.[3] The primary purposes are: flood control, hydroelectric power generation, wildlife management and recreation.[4]

General description

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Keystone Lake is about 23,600 acres (96 km2) in area, and was designed to contain 505,381 acre-feet (623,378,000 m3) of water.[1] It was named for the community of Keystone, which existed on the site from 1900 until 1962, when it was inundated by the waters of the lake.[a] Construction of the lake forced the relocation of three other towns: Mannford, Oklahoma (also known as New Mannford by locals), Prue (also known as New Prue), and Appalachia Bay, Oklahoma. The town of Osage was partially abandoned to the lake, while the rest clings to the south shore. Engineers built a levee around low-lying areas of the south and east sides of Cleveland, Oklahoma to prevent flooding of that city.[4] The shoreline extends for 330 miles (530 km).[4]

Two Oklahoma state parks, Keystone State Park and Walnut Creek State Park, are located along the shores of the lake offering camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, swimming and boating opportunities. The area also features a Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort as you cross the Keystone Dam near Sand Springs.

The Keystone Lake project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1950. It was designed and built by the Tulsa District, Army Corps of Engineers. Construction began in January 1957 and was complete for flood control purposes in September 1964. Commercial operation of the power generating facility began in May 1968.[4]

A reregulating dam, located 7.8 miles (12.6 km) downstream of the main dam, was also completed in 1968. Cost of the total project was approximately $123 million. In 1986, the reregulating dam was removed due to public safety issues, as 16 people had drowned at the dam.[4]

Dam construction details

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The dam was actually constructed across the Arkansas River, downstream of the confluence with the Cimarron River. It is built of rolled earthfill material. Maximum height of the dam is 121 feet (37 m) above the stream bed. The total length of the dam is 4,600 feet (1,400 m), including a 1,600 feet (490 m)-long concrete section. The spillway in the concrete section is 856 feet (261 m) wide. The non-overflow part of the concrete section includes a power intake structure. State Highway 151 crosses the dam, connecting State Highway 51 on the south with U.S. Highway 64 on the north.[4]

The spillway is a gated ogee weir, 720 feet (220 m) wide with eighteen tainter gates, each 40 by 35 feet (12 by 11 m). Spillway capacity at the maximum pool level (elevation 766.0 feet (233.5 m)) is 939,000 cubic feet per second (26,600 m3/s). Capacity at the top of the flood control pool level (elevation 754.0 feet (229.8 m)) is 565,000 cubic feet per second (16,000 m3/s). The spillway also has nine sluices, each 5.67 by 10 feet (1.73 by 3.05 m).[4]

The power intake structure is between the spillway and the left non-overflow section of the dam. It includes two penstocks, each 27 feet (8.2 m) diameter and controlled by two 14 by 30 feet (4.3 by 9.1 m) gates. The power generation facility includes two hydroelectric generators, each rated at 35,000 kW (47,000 hp).[4]

Largest release in service

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In September and October 1986, Keystone Lake was filled to capacity when the remnants of Hurricane Paine entered Oklahoma and dropped nearly 22 inches (0.56 m) of water into the Cimarron and Arkansas rivers northwest of the lake, requiring the Corps of Engineers to release water downstream at a rate of 310,000 cubic feet per second (8,800 m3/s), which made downstream flooding inevitable. As a result, a private levee in West Tulsa failed, causing more than $1.3 million in damages.[5]

Recreation

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text
View of Keystone Lake

According to the Corps of Engineers website, Keystone Lake has 16 recreational areas (including 3 alcohol-free beaches), 11 boat ramps, 4 marinas and 2 off-road vehicle areas. There are also campgrounds, a waterfowl refuge and a public hunting area. Keystone State Park nearby offers cabins. Fishing is popular, with the most plentiful species being striped bass, white bass, black bass, small mouth bass, crappie, and catfish.[6] Fauna around the lake include: white-tailed deer, raccoon, bobcat, coyote, beaver, squirrel, cottontail rabbit, quail, dove, ducks and geese. Hunting and fishing licenses are regulated by Oklahoma and Federal laws.[4]

Windycrest Sailing Club offers sailboat racing and cruising.

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Keystone Lake

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from Grokipedia
Keystone Lake is a in northeastern , , impounded by the Keystone Dam on the at its confluence with the Cimarron River, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Tulsa in Tulsa County. Covering a surface area of 26,000 acres at normal pool elevation, it functions primarily for flood control and hydroelectric power generation while also supporting extensive recreational activities such as , , , and . Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1950 and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project cost approximately $123 million and transformed the regional landscape by inundating the original Keystone community, from which the lake derives its name due to the site's strategic "keystone" position at the river junction. The Keystone Dam, a rolled earth-filled embankment with a section, stands 121 feet high above the streambed and spans 4,600 feet in total length, enabling the lake to store up to over 11 million acre-feet during flood events, as recorded in 2019. facilities, operational since spring 1968, include two penstocks and a powerhouse capable of releasing up to 11,600 cubic feet per second, contributing to the regional power grid. A downstream re-regulating , also completed in 1968, helps manage releases to protect aquatic habitats and downstream users. Managed by the Tulsa District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Keystone Lake offers diverse public access through 16 recreation areas, including alcohol-free beaches, 11 boat ramps, three marinas, and facilities for off-road vehicles and . In , a safety modification study was initiated to address potential risks. Renowned for its fishery—earning it the nickname "The New Home of the "—the lake supports a variety of sport fish species and serves as a waterfowl refuge with seasonal green tree reservoirs, drawing numerous visitors annually for outdoor pursuits.

Geography and Hydrology

Location and Extent

Keystone Lake is situated in northeastern , encompassing portions of Pawnee, Osage, Creek, and Tulsa counties. The reservoir's approximate central coordinates are 36°13′50″N 96°18′18″W. Formed by the damming of the and the impoundment of the Cimarron River, it serves as a key component of the broader basin . The lake covers approximately 23,600 acres at its normal pool level and features about 330 miles of shoreline, providing extensive waterfront areas across its irregular boundaries. Positioned roughly 15 miles west of Tulsa, Keystone Lake functions as an urban , offering accessible recreational opportunities to the nearby metropolitan population. The creation of the lake led to the inundation of the original Keystone community, located at the confluence of the and Cimarron rivers.

Physical Characteristics

Keystone Lake covers a surface area of approximately 23,600 acres at its normal pool elevation. The lake has an average depth of 25 feet and reaches a maximum depth of 76 feet, contributing to its diverse aquatic habitats. These dimensions reflect the reservoir's design to balance flood storage with conservation needs, with water levels managed to maintain . The normal pool elevation stands at 723 feet above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), where the lake holds a conservation storage volume of 234,760 acre-feet. Water levels fluctuate between a minimum of 706 feet for the conservation pool and a maximum of 754 feet during flood control operations, allowing the reservoir to accommodate seasonal inflows and runoff. This range supports the lake's primary functions while preventing excessive drawdown that could impact and wildlife. Hydrologically, Keystone Lake receives primary inputs from the and the Cimarron River, which together drain a vast upstream basin exceeding 74,000 square miles. The resulting shoreline extends for 330 miles, featuring a mix of wooded banks, bluffs, and sandy areas that enhance the lake's scenic and recreational value.

History

Authorization and Early Planning

The Keystone Lake project was authorized by the under the Flood Control Act of 1950, approved on May 17, 1950 ( 516, 81st Congress, 2nd Session). This legislation incorporated recommendations from Senate Document 107, 81st Congress, 1st Session, which reviewed prior reports on flood control measures for the basin. Initial planning for the project was undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tulsa District, focusing on flood control needs within the basin. The USACE conducted detailed surveys and feasibility assessments starting in the late 1940s, aligning with broader basin-wide strategies to mitigate recurrent flooding from the and its tributaries. In the early 1950s, the USACE performed economic and environmental studies as part of the pre-authorization process, including cost-benefit analyses that projected a total project cost of approximately $123 million. These analyses evaluated flood damage reduction benefits against construction and operational expenses, while also assessing environmental factors such as impacts on local ecosystems and water quality in the basin. Anticipated community impacts were a key consideration in the planning phase, with studies identifying significant relocations required due to inundation of the proposed area. Towns such as Mannford were planned for southward relocation, Prue northward, and the original sites of Mannford, Prue, , and parts of Osage were slated for abandonment; additionally, protective measures like a were proposed for to prevent flooding.

Construction and Relocations

Construction of Keystone Dam began in December 1956 under the supervision of the U.S. Corps of Engineers' Tulsa District, marking the start of a major flood control project on the in northeastern . The earthfill , designed to create a for flood mitigation, , and , presented significant challenges, including the management of vast quantities of and rock for the embankment structure and the coordination of river flows during . To facilitate construction and control downstream flows, engineers built a reregulating approximately seven miles below the main site, which helped regulate water releases and prevented disruptions to the navigation channel until its completion in 1968. The project employed a large workforce over its decade-long timeline, with the reaching operational status for flood control in September 1964, allowing initial filling. Full impoundment and integration of related facilities were achieved by 1968, at a total cost of about $123 million. The reservoir's creation necessitated the relocation of several communities to avoid inundation. Mannford, originally situated at Mann's Ford on the Cimarron River, was moved southward to higher ground, while Prue was shifted northward out of the flood pool. The original town of Keystone, an Osage County farming community established around 1900 with a post office operating until 1962, was fully submerged under the lake that now bears its name. These relocations displaced hundreds of residents and required extensive planning to preserve community structures and infrastructure on new sites.

Infrastructure

Keystone Dam Design

The Keystone Dam is a rolled earthfill embankment structure with a concrete gravity section, designed as a multi-purpose facility for flood control, hydropower, and navigation on the Arkansas River. The total length of the dam measures 4,600 feet, comprising approximately 3,000 feet of earthen embankments (1,965 feet on the right abutment and 1,023 feet on the left) and a 1,600-foot concrete section that houses the spillway, non-overflow dam, and power intake. Rising to a maximum height of 121 feet above the streambed, the dam is founded on Pennsylvanian-age geological formations, including the Vamoosa, Barnsdall, Tallant, Wann, and Ada formations, overlaid by the Niotaze-Bigheart-Rock outcrop soil complex, which provides a stable base for the structure. Materials consist primarily of compacted earthfill for the embankments and reinforced concrete for the gravity section and associated appurtenances, with riprap armoring on the embankment slopes and stilling basin to mitigate erosion from high-velocity flows. A key component of the dam's design is its gated , integrated into the section with a net width of 720 feet and equipped with 18 tainter gates, each measuring 40 feet wide by 35 feet high. This configuration allows for controlled discharge, achieving a maximum capacity of 939,000 cubic feet per second at the top of the maximum pool elevation (766 feet). The profile optimizes flow over the crest during high-water events, while the tainter gates enable precise regulation to prevent overtopping. Downstream, a stilling basin dissipates energy from releases, reducing scour potential through formation and protection along the basin floor and training walls. Safety features in the design emphasize controlled water releases and structural integrity, including nine low-level sluice gates (each 5.67 feet high by 10 feet wide) integrated into the outlet works, capable of passing approximately 35,000 cubic feet per second at flood pool elevation for low-flow management and flushing. These outlet works, located in the section, connect to the riverbed via conduits and support routine operations while minimizing risks during moderate . The overall design incorporates a conservative against seepage and piping through the foundation, with internal drainage systems in the embankments and cutoff walls at the abutments to address potential underseepage along the pervious geological layers. of the occurred from January 1957 to September 1964, ensuring compliance with mid-20th-century standards for seismic and hydrologic loading.

Power Generation Facilities

The hydroelectric power generation at Keystone Lake is facilitated by two generating units housed in a powerhouse located downstream of the dam, integrated via two penstocks each measuring 27 feet in diameter that channel water from the reservoir through the structure. Each turbine originally had a capacity of 35,000 kilowatts (kW), providing a combined installed capacity of 70,000 kW for the facility, with commercial operations commencing in May 1968. The units draw water from the Arkansas River reservoir created by the 4,600-foot-long and 121-foot-high Keystone Dam to produce renewable energy. The facility generates an average of 228 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually (2004-2006 average), contributing to the regional power grid. This output is marketed through the Southwestern Power Administration, which integrates Keystone's into the regional grid as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' broader portfolio of federal hydroelectric projects. Since their initial operation, the turbines have undergone routine to ensure reliability, with a major initiated in 2024 involving the rewinding of cores using and techniques to boost each unit's capacity to 40,000 kW (total 80,000 kW). Unit 1 was completed in April 2024, with Unit 2 finished later that year. This enhancement builds on the original equipment, aiming to increase overall efficiency without altering the core infrastructure.

Operations and Purposes

Flood Control Mechanisms

Keystone Lake serves as a critical reservoir for flood mitigation on the Arkansas River, storing excess floodwaters in its designated flood control pool up to an elevation of 754 feet, which provides a capacity of 1,128,640 acre-feet. This storage mechanism intercepts heavy inflows from the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers, significantly reducing peak flows downstream and protecting urban areas such as Tulsa from inundation. By temporarily holding back water that would otherwise overwhelm the river channel, the lake helps maintain downstream channel capacities, limited to 105,000 cubic feet per second at the Tulsa gage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tulsa District, oversees operations through established protocols outlined in the Basin Water Control Manual, focusing on real-time monitoring of inflows, pool elevations, and forecasts to guide release decisions. Controlled releases are primarily executed via the dam's 18 tainter gates, each measuring 40 by 35 feet, which can discharge up to approximately 590,000 cubic feet per second at the top of the flood control pool when fully open, supplemented by nine low-flow gates for finer adjustments. Gate operations occur multiple times daily during flood events, prioritizing uniform settings to match or limit outflows to safe downstream levels, with emergency backups ensuring reliability. Historically, these mechanisms have proven highly effective in averting damages in Tulsa and surrounding regions, yielding an average annual benefit of approximately $32.44 million (in dollars) over more than four decades of operation as of 2012. The system's ability to attenuate major storm events has prevented billions in potential losses by capping releases below critical thresholds, thereby safeguarding infrastructure and communities along the lower . For example, in June 2025, the lake rose over 20 feet above normal pool due to heavy rains, prompting controlled releases exceeding 200 million gallons per minute to manage without downstream impacts. Flood control at Keystone is integrated into the broader Arkansas River Basin management framework, coordinating releases with upstream reservoirs like Kaw Lake and downstream structures such as Webbers Falls Lock and Dam to optimize system-wide storage and evacuation. This collaboration, guided by equal utilization of flood storage percentages across projects, ensures balanced regulation that supports navigation and hydropower while enhancing overall basin resilience to extreme rainfall.

Wildlife and Water Management

Keystone Lake serves as a vital habitat for diverse , with designated management areas encompassing thousands of acres of public land open for conservation and . The lake supports populations of in good numbers, waterfowl such as ducks and resident geese in fair numbers, and various fish species including , channel and , and black and white . These habitats include wooded shorelines, bottomland hardwoods, , sloughs, and three seasonal green tree reservoirs that provide shallowly flooded areas ideal for waterfowl refuge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) maintains these areas to preserve ecological balance, with the lake's conservation pool storage capacity of approximately 235,000 acre-feet (as of 2012) supporting sustained and riparian environments. Water quality at Keystone Lake is monitored routinely by the USACE Tulsa to assess limnological conditions and support environmental operations, with monthly sampling from to at multiple in-lake sites and the tailwater. Releases from the reservoir are managed to meet downstream needs, including 20,000 acre-feet designated for municipal supply, though current use is limited due to the water's high mineralization requiring treatment. Occasional targeted releases also address downstream issues, such as low dissolved oxygen or , ensuring sustainable flow for agricultural and potential urban demands. The USACE collaborates closely with the Department of (ODWC) to regulate and , aligning seasons and restrictions across the Keystone Wildlife Management Area, which spans over 20,000 acres including riverine sandbars and upland forests. This partnership enforces statewide seasons for deer, waterfowl, and small game while imposing site-specific rules, such as closing certain waterfowl drawdown units to gun after 1 p.m., to protect habitats and species. Environmental management at Keystone Lake includes comprehensive plans to mitigate shoreline along its 330 miles of shoreline, with the USACE Shoreline Management Plan establishing policies for structures and preservation to maintain ecological integrity. These efforts focus on stabilizing banks through natural and engineered methods, preventing loss into the and safeguarding habitats for and .

Recreation and Tourism

Facilities and Access

Keystone Lake features 16 public recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, providing essential infrastructure for visitors along its approximately 330 miles of shoreline. These areas include amenities such as campsites with electrical and water hook-ups, primitive options, picnic shelters equipped with charcoal grills, restrooms, and showers. Among the facilities are 11 ramps with courtesy docks for easy water access, as well as three marinas—Keystone Harbor, Pier 51, and Salt Creek Marina—offering rentals, fuel, and docking services. Examples of these recreation areas include Bay, Walnut Creek, , and Salt Creek, three of which feature alcohol-free beaches and short nature trails for pedestrian access. In addition to Corps-managed sites, Keystone State Park, operated by the Tourism and Recreation Department, spans 714 acres on the lake's southern shore and includes 73 campsites, numerous RV hook-up sites, areas with tables and grills, and 22 cabins for overnight stays. The park provides further access through multiple boat ramps and a concession at Pier 51, enhancing options for lakefront amenities. Local municipalities, such as the cities of and Mannford, maintain supplementary recreation areas with similar and facilities, contributing to the lake's extensive network of visitor infrastructure. The lake is readily accessible via a network of highways, including (Keystone Expressway), which connects directly from downtown Tulsa, approximately 19 miles to the east, making it a convenient destination for urban visitors. 151 and other county roads provide additional entry points to recreation areas around the lake's perimeter. To mitigate flood risks from fluctuating lake levels, the System, a 12,915-foot-long structure with a maximum height of 34 feet, protects the nearby town of along the arm, ensuring safe access during high-water periods.

Activities and Attractions

Keystone Lake offers a diverse array of popular recreational activities that draw visitors throughout the year. is a primary pursuit, with multiple ramps and marinas facilitating motorized and non-motorized vessels across the lake's 23,600 surface acres. stands out as particularly renowned, targeting species such as —known locally as the lake's signature catch, with potential sizes exceeding 40 pounds—along with , , black bass, and . opportunities span over 20,686 acres of managed as the Keystone Wildlife Management Area, where and Rio Grande turkey are primary game, supplemented by , dove, waterfowl, rabbits, and squirrels during designated seasons. occurs at designated areas, while trails, including the nearly 1-mile Trail and the over 1-mile Two Rivers Trail, provide scenic paths through wooded shorelines and bluffs. Unique natural attractions enhance the lake's appeal for outdoor enthusiasts. Sandy beaches line portions of the shoreline, offering relaxed spots for sunbathing and shoreline exploration amid the lake's blue-green waters and varied terrain of high bluffs, grasslands, and low rolling hills. Equestrian trails, such as the 15-mile Walnut Creek Multiuse Trail, accommodate horseback riding with access to dedicated campsites for overnight stays. hotspots abound, particularly along nature trails and at sites like Cowskin Bay, where bald eagles are frequently sighted during winter months, alongside other watchable . The lake features 16 public recreation areas, three with alcohol-free beaches to support family-oriented visits. Seasonal events add vibrancy to the recreational , especially tournaments that attract competitive . The Keystone Lake host a Monday Night Jackpot Tournament from March through August, while annual events like the Hooked on Bass Tournament coincide with the Hooked on Lake Life Festival in spring. These gatherings, along with other regional derbies, highlight the lake's status as a premier destination. The lake's activities contribute significantly to local economies in Osage and Tulsa counties. As of the early 2010s, sportfishing alone generated an estimated 260,000 annual trips, valued at approximately $15.8 million in economic benefits through angler expenditures on gear, fuel, and lodging. As part of the broader McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, a 2015 report estimated Keystone Lake supported regional expenditures exceeding $78 million yearly, sustaining jobs and business activity in surrounding communities.

Notable Events

Largest Water Release

In September and October 1986, the remnants of Hurricane Paine brought intense rainfall to northeastern , with some areas receiving up to 22 inches over several days, rapidly filling Keystone Lake and necessitating the largest water release in the reservoir's history. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed inflows exceeding the reservoir's flood control capacity by initiating controlled releases from Keystone Dam, peaking at 300,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on October 4. This event was triggered by a combination of antecedent moisture from weeks of prior rain and the hurricane's moisture, which caused the and Cimarron Rivers to swell dramatically upstream of the dam. The rapid inflow, reaching 344,000 cfs at times, pushed the lake's elevation to 756 feet—within 1 foot of its flood control pool limit—prompting the USACE to maximize gated releases to avert overtopping and potential structural . These actions, while essential, directed a massive volume downstream along the , testing the limits of the dam's gated capacity of 555,000 cfs at the top of the flood control pool (elevation 754 feet). By gradually tapering the release after the peak, the Corps prevented a greater catastrophe, such as widespread breaching of federal levees or uncontrolled flooding from , though it still strained downstream infrastructure. Immediate impacts included the failure of a private westbank levee in Tulsa's Garden City neighborhood, resulting in $1.3 million in damages to 64 buildings and prompting evacuations of thousands in the Tulsa area, including Sand Springs and Jenks. Overall, the event contributed to $63.5 million in total damages across Tulsa County, with no fatalities directly attributed to the dam release but significant disruption to local communities. The release highlighted vulnerabilities in management during extreme events, leading to revised USACE protocols for earlier forecasting integration, improved interagency coordination with local emergency services, and enhanced public warning systems to mitigate future downstream risks. These lessons emphasized the finite protective role of dams like Keystone, influencing subsequent flood operations to prioritize balanced inflow-outflow strategies and stricter levee maintenance standards.

2019 Flood Event

In May 2019, prolonged heavy rainfall across the Midwest, including up to 20 inches in parts of and , caused Keystone Lake to reach a record pool elevation of 757.3 feet—exceeding the level—and prompted the second-largest water release in the reservoir's . The USACE initiated releases peaking at 275,000 cfs from May 27 to May 29 to manage inflows and prevent overtopping, sustaining high outflows longer than in and straining downstream levees along the . This event, part of broader regional flooding, led to evacuations in Tulsa and surrounding areas, road closures, and agricultural losses, though no major structural failures occurred due to improved reinforcements post-1986. The sustained releases highlighted ongoing challenges in multi-state basin coordination, resulting in further updates to USACE forecasting models and emergency response plans as of 2019.

Safety Incidents and Removals

The reregulating dam downstream from Keystone Dam, constructed in 1968 to stabilize flows, became a significant public hazard due to its low-head design, which created turbulent hydraulic conditions capable of trapping and individuals. Between its completion and removal, 16 people at the structure, prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dismantle it in 1986 as a direct response to these life- risks. Following the dam's removal, Keystone Lake has experienced various boating accidents and weather-related hazards that continue to pose risks to recreation users. For instance, in September 2017, a couple operating a personal watercraft without lights at night was fatally struck by another boat, highlighting visibility and lighting issues on the lake. Other incidents include collisions with hazards during navigation, such as a July 2016 accident injuring four people when a boat struck a breakwater. More recent events include a September 2022 jet boat collision near Appalachia Bay that killed 52-year-old Garry Dugan, and a June 2025 drowning at Pier 51 where 58-year-old Ian Galloway slipped into the water without a life jacket. Weather events exacerbating these dangers, like heavy rainfall leading to rapid water level rises, have resulted in temporary closures of recreation areas to prevent access to unstable shorelines and hidden obstacles. In response to ongoing hazards, the U.S. Army of Engineers has implemented several safety measures at Keystone Lake, including the installation of alerting visitors to underwater stumps, logs, and sudden depth changes, particularly in shallow areas and along shorelines. Barriers have been placed at boat ramps and access points to restrict entry during unsafe conditions, such as high winds or low visibility, while the conducts education programs emphasizing life jacket use, boater awareness, and avoidance of alcohol on the water. These initiatives align with broader efforts, such as the "Please Wear It" campaign, which promotes personal flotation devices to reduce risks. The maintains continuous monitoring of Keystone Lake's water levels through collection and adjustments to releases, ensuring that fluctuations—often driven by upstream rainfall or flood control operations—do not compromise safety. This oversight includes public advisories on pool elevations and potential hazards, helping to mitigate risks from rapid changes that could expose submerged features or create strong currents below the .

References

  1. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Keystone-Lake/
  2. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Keystone-Lake/History/
  3. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Keystone-Lake/Pertinent-Data/
  4. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Tag/6246/public-notice/
  5. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Keystone-Lake/Keystone-Lake-Recreation/
  6. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/inventory/?site_no=07164200
  7. https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4160
  8. https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/sites/default/files/2021-08/Keystone2008.pdf
  9. https://water.usace.army.mil/cda/documents/wc/2699/Keystone_WCM_2012_Redacted.pdf
  10. https://planning.erdc.dren.mil/toolbox/library/PL/RHA1950.pdf
  11. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1984/05/13/towns-remember-moves-forced-by-new-lakes/62803596007/
  12. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Portals/41/Appendix%20H-1%20-Draft%20EA_Keystone%20DSMS_04MAR2024.pdf
  13. https://www.army.mil/article/278173/enhancing_hydroelectric_power_at_keystone_lake
  14. https://www.army.mil/article/279104/usace_tulsa_district_dams_harnessing_clean_energy
  15. https://www.energy.gov/swpa/southwestern-power-administration
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  38. https://mollybullock.substack.com/p/7the-pool-of-record
  39. https://www.weather.gov/source/lzk/annual/2019event4.htm
  40. https://jphmpdirect.com/tulsa-health-departments-response-tulsa-county-historic-2019-flooding/
  41. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Portals/41/docs/library/proj-upd/2015_03.pdf
  42. https://tulsaworld.com/couple-killed-in-crash-on-keystone-lake-leaves-legacy/article_d76b4d12-bdc2-59fc-8cf2-9cd1d2f0c8d4.html
  43. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e360b902f69d76f6203738d/ohp:-four-teens-hurt-when-dui-driver-crashes-boat-on-lake-keystone
  44. https://www.newson6.com/story/63365152b84c2c07209e0ba7/1-dead-after-boating-accident-on-keystone-lake
  45. https://www.news9.com/story/684582c4e2dc7b5c019ae0e5/edmond-man-drowns-at-keystone-lake
  46. https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/weather/article_ae6c2ee7-756b-42d0-8def-35f31daa3141.html
  47. https://www.swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Keystone-Lake/Project-News-and-Notices/
  48. https://water.usace.army.mil/overview/swt/locations/keys
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