Wes Watkins Reservoir is a reservoir located in Pottawatomie County in central Oklahoma, United States, between Oklahoma City and Shawnee (in the center of McLoud). Its primary use is recreation, especially camping and fishing.
| Wes Watkins Reservoir | |
|---|---|
  Wes Watkins Reservoir  Wes Watkins Reservoir | |
| Location | Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, US |
| Coordinates | 35°24′15″N 97°7′10″W / 35.40417°N 97.11944°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| North Deer Creek | |
| North Deer Creek | |
| 38.5 sq mi (100 km2) | |
| Basin countries | United States |
| 1,142 acres (4.62 km2) | |
| 13,993 acre⋅ft (17,260,000 m3) | |
| Settlements | McLoud, Oklahoma |
Wes Watkins Reservoir was opened to the public in August 1999 and is considered a relatively young reservoir. The 1,142-acre (5 km2) lake is operated by the City of McLoud as of July 1, 2010. It was formerly managed by Pottawatomie County Development Authority.[1]
The reservoir was named in honor of former Oklahoma Congressman Wes Watkins. It was initially known as North Deer Creek Lake.[2]
The Shawnee city commissioners approved the transfer of Wes Watkins Reservoir recreational operations and management to the city of McLoud, beginning July 1, 2010.[3]
Its drainage area is 38.5 square miles (100 km2).[4] According to a report by Camp, Dresser & McKee (CDM), the normal capacity of the reservoir is 13,993 acre-feet (17,260,000 m3).[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Wes Watkins Reservoir visitors discuss changes at lake. Ray, Johanna. Shawnee News-Star. January 2, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Waitin' and Wonderin' Wes Watkins Lake Set to Open Next Spring." Bean, Corey. NewsOK. June 28, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ↑ Ray, Johnna. June 11, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Wes Watkins Reservoir near McLoud, OK". waterdataui-production.wma.chs.usgs.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Multi-Reservoir Yield and Operations Analysis. For City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. By Camp, Dresser & McKee Inc. (CDM) March 28, 2012. Accessed November 26, 2019.