Skiatook Lake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Skiatook Lake is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, 4 miles west of the town of Skiatook, and 11 miles east of Hominy, Oklahoma; about a half hour drive from Tulsa. The Skiatook Dam is located 14 miles upstream of the confluence of Hominy and Bird Creeks. Gentle rolling hills of Blackjack and Post Oak interspersed with Tallgrass prairie surround beautiful Skiatook Lake.
Contents |
[edit] History
Skiatook Dam and Lake were authorized for construction by the Flood Control Act approved October 23, 1962 (87th Congress). It is one of five projects in the Bird Creek Basin plan recommended to meet the comprehensive water resources needs of the area. The Damsite is located on Hominy Creek about 5 miles west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma. The project serves the purposes of flood control, water quality, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife management. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million. It was completed in 1984. Today, Skiatook, Sand Springs, Tulsa and Sapulpa utilize Skiatook Lake as a municipal water Supply.
[edit] Size
Elevated 714.0 feet above sea level, the lake has a surface area of about 10,500 acres (42 km²) and 160 miles (260 km) of shoreline.
[edit] Recreation and Camping
The shoreline is accentuated by steep picturesque bluffs. Boating, hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking as well as hunting and fishing are all popular activities at the lake.
Sport fishing is very popular and Skiatook Lake has several annual fishing tournaments. Largemouth bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, and several species of sunfish, or lake perch, are plentiful in Skiatook Lake.
White-tail deer, rabbit, squirrel, quail, and many more bird species are plentiful around the lake. Even a few coyote have been seen. During the seasons, about 8,000 acres (32 km²) of this land are open for hunting.
There are several places open to camping, including Tall Chief Cove, Bull Creek and Twin Points campgrounds. Other parks on the lake include Blackdog Park, Osage Park, Quapaw Park, Hominy Landing and Skiatook Point.
About 1,800 acres (7.3 km²) of land around the lake have been set aside for public use areas. These areas provide roads, parking spaces, boat ramps, nature trails, picnicking and camping sites along with sanitary facilities.
John Zink Boy Scout camp is located along the southern shores of Skiatook Lake.
[edit] Events
There are several annual events held on Skiatook Lake, including many fishing tournaments. In July, the annual "Fantasy in the Sky" celebration is held at Tall Chief Cove, attracting around 35,000 people from all over Oklahoma. It features live concerts and fireworks at dusk, set to music. The Skiatook Chamber of Commerce also sponsors many events on the lake.
[edit] CrossTimbers Resort and the National Federal Demonstration Lakes Program
Skiatook Lake was selected to participate in the National Federal Demonstration Lakes program. The Corps of Engineers encouraged recreational development by non-federal partners and worked to expedite the lease process. The Skiatook Lakes Demonstration project is part of the Corps of Engineers' response to President Clinton's blue-ribbon panel appointed in 1998 to conduct the national recreation study.
The district recommended Skiatook Lake for inclusion in the national demonstration program because of its undeveloped recreation potential. Through the program, the district could move forward to identify sponsors who would be willing to make the financial investments necessary to bring new and improved recreation opportunities to the lake.
CrossTimbers Resort is what has emerged, and is currently being developed. This themed mixed-use attraction occupies 700 acres (2.8 km²), including 5 miles (8 km) of waterfront on Skiatook Lake.
CrossTimbers will combine shopping, dining, boating, entertainment, cottage, and conference center facilities on one site. This public/private project, drawing inspiration from the fabulous waterfront setting, features three distinctly different attractions: The CrossTimbers Marina, The Village at CrossTimbers and a Championship Golf Course.
