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This publication is issued by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, in cooperation with the USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service, as authorized by Mike Thralls, executive director. Copies
have not been printed but are available through the agency website, http://conservation.ok.gov.
October 2011
Four Mile Creek Watershed Dam No. 1
The Four Mile Creek Watershed Project consists of one flood control dam. The dam was constructed in 1966 by the City of El Reno and the East Canadian County Conservation District with the assistance of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program.
The primary purpose of the project is to control flooding and sedimentation and reduce erosion. The City of El Reno paid for an additional 700 acre feet of water storage during construction of the dam for recreational use.
Lake El Reno has 333 acres of open land around it and 170 surface acres of water that is used for water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, boating and fishing. A twenty-two space RV park is nestled behind the lake with water and electrical hook ups. The newest addition to Lake El Reno is a P.B. Dye Jr.-designed 18-hole golf course.
Unlike most watershed projects where a series of dams are constructed on tributaries to a major stream, Four Mile Creek Dam No. 1 is the only flood control dam in the watershed. The dam was constructed to provide flood protection for a large portion of the City of El Reno including 750 homes. The dam provides an average annual benefit of $770,000 in reduced flood damages.
The dam also provides flood protection for 35 farms and ranches, nine bridges and several streets and roads.
The Four Mile Creek Watershed Project is one of *129 projects in Oklahoma that have been planned and implemented by local people with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
*2,107 NRCS-assisted flood control dams have been constructed in 61 Oklahoma counties. These watershed projects, that also include thousands of conservation practices, provide over $81 million in average annual benefits.
For additional information about watershed projects in the state visit the Oklahoma Conservation Commission website at: http://conservation.ok.gov or visit your local conservation district and NRCS office.
This is one of 129* examples of how local, state and federal government agencies have worked together to utilize the Natural Resources Conservation Service Watershed Program to address natural resource needs and improve the quality of life for thousands of Oklahomans.
