Fort Gibson Dam

The Fort Gibson Dam is a gravity dam on the Grand (Neosho) River in Oklahoma, 5.4 mi (9 km) north of the town of Fort Gibson. The dam forms Fort Gibson Lake. The primary purposes of the dam and lake are flood control and hydroelectric power production, although supply of drinking water to local communities, as well as recreation, are additional benefits. The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1941 and construction began the next year. During World War II construction was suspended and it recommenced in May 1946. In June 1949, the river was closed and the entire project was complete in September 1953 with the operation of the last of the power plant's four generators. Rights to construct the project originally belonged to the Grand River Dam Authority, but were seized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1946.

Fort Gibson Dam
Fort Gibson dam seen from above
Location of Fort Gibson Dam in Oklahoma
Country	United States
Location	Wagoner / Cherokee counties near Fort Gibson and Okay, Oklahoma, US
Coordinates	35.869665°N 95.230436°W / 35.869665; -95.230436
Status	In Use
Construction began	1941
Opening date	1949
Construction cost	$22,000,000
Owner(s)	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Concrete Gravity
Impounds	Neosho River
Height	110 ft (34 m)
Length	2,850 ft (869 m)
Spillways	30
Spillway type	Tainter gate
Spillway capacity	986,000 cu ft (27,920 m3)
Reservoir
Creates	Fort Gibson Lake
Total capacity	1,292,000 acre⋅ft (2 km3)
Active capacity	1,287,000 acre⋅ft (2 km3)
Catchment area	12,615 sq mi (32,673 km2)
Power Station
Commission date	1953
Turbines	4 x 11.25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	48 MW
Annual generation	208,482,000 KWh

Salient features

Release of floodwater in 2015

Dam

Dam
Type	Concrete gravity
Average Height	90 ft (27 m)
Crest length	2,850 ft (869 m)
Concrete	461,300 cu yd (352,689 m3)
Reinforcing steel	2,655,000 lb (1,204,288 kg)
Miscellaneous metal works and castings	300,000 lb (136,078 kg)
Tainter gates	3,120,000 lb (1,415,208 kg)
Tainter gate anchorages	901,000 lb (408,687 kg)
Emergency gate guides	160,000 lb (72,575 kg)

Dikes
Number	3
Type	Rolled earth filled topped by surfaced service roadway
Height	18 ft (5 m) (max)
Length (Total all dikes)	8,500 ft (2,591 m)
Width (At top)	16 ft (5 m)

Elevations (above sea level)
Top of dam	593 ft (181 m)
Top of gates	582 ft (177 m)
Spillway crest	547 ft (167 m)
Top of power pool	554 ft (169 m)
Flood control pool	582 ft (177 m)

Spillway

Spillway
Type	Gate-controlled concrete gravity ogee-weir with stilling basin
Gates	30 (40 feet by 35 feet tainter)
Length	1,490 ft (454 m)
Capacity - Pool at top of gates	915,000 cu ft/s (25,910 m3/s)
Capacity - Maximum pool	915,000 cu ft/s (25,910 m3/s)
Capacity - Power pool	69,000 cu ft/s (1,954 m3/s)

Outlet works

Outlet works
Number of sluices	10
Size of sluices	5 feet 8 inches by 7 feet
Capacity - Pool at top of gates	20,800 cu ft/s (589 m3/s)
Capacity - Power pool	16,500 cu ft/s (467 m3/s)
Capacity - Pool at WEIR crest	15,300 cu ft/s (433 m3/s)

Reservoir

Reservoir Capacities
Pool - at top of gates	1,287,000 acre-feet (1.587×109 m3)
Pool- at maximum stage	1,292,000 acre-feet (1.594×109 m3)
Top of power pool	365,000 acre-feet (450,000,000 m3)
Drainage area	12,615 sq mi (32,673 km2)

Contractors

First Contract: Al Johnson construction co. Winston brothers co. peter kiewit sons co. 608 Foshay Tower. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Second Contract: W. R. Grimshaw company. - Tulsa, Oklahoma

External links

• Sequoyah State Park - Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
• Fort Gibson Lake Area - Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department