Cedar Lake (LeFlore County, Oklahoma)

Not to be confused with Cedar Lake, Oklahoma.

Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake Show map of Oklahoma Cedar Lake Show map of the United States
Location	LeFlore County, Oklahoma
Coordinates	34°46′52″N 94°41′49″W
Type	Reservoir
River sources	Big Cedar Creek
Primary outflows	Big Cedar Creek
Basin countries	United States
Managing agency	U. S. Forestry Service, part of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Built	1937
Surface area	86 acres (35 ha)[1]
Water volume	1,370 acre⋅ft (1,690,000 m^3)[2]
Surface elevation	900 ft (270 m)[2]
Settlements	Mena, Arkansas; Heavener, Poteau, and Talihina, Oklahoma

Cedar Lake is in Le Flore County, Oklahoma inside the Ouachita National Forest. Considered a part of Indian Nations National Scenic and Wildlife Area, it is about 12 miles (19 km) south of Heavener, Oklahoma, and 40 miles (64 km) west of Mena, Arkansas.[3][1]

It is a different body of water from the privately owned Cedar Lake in Canadian County, Oklahoma.

Description

The lake surface covers 86 acres (35 ha). The storage capacity is 1,000 acre-feet (1,200,000 m^3). Its earthen dam is 52 feet (16 m) high and 1,000 feet (300 m) long. The maximum storage is 1,370 acre-feet (1,690,000 m^3). The elevation is 900 feet (270 m)[2]

Now owned by the U. S. Forest Service, the lake was constructed on Big Cedar Creek in 1937[1] by the Civilian Conservation Corps for erosion-control purposes. It is primarily used for recreation, and features fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and camping activities. The lake is open year-round.[4]

Fishing

The lake is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill.[3] According to an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) official, it is known for its big bass potential.[5]

Dale Miller set a state record when he caught a 14 pound 13.7 ounce largemouth bass, having a length of 261⁄8 inches and a girth of 23 inches. ODWC confirmed the record measurement, then released the fish back to the lake. The previous record was held by Benny Williams, Jr., who caught a 14 pound 12 ounce bass from the same lake on March 23, 2012.[5]

See also

• Indian Nations National Wildlife and Scenic Area

References

1. "Cedar Lake, Oklahoma." Find lakes.com. Undated. Accessed June 13, 2018.
2. "Cedar Lake Recreation Area." U.S. Department of Agriculture. Undated. Accessed June 13, 2018.
3. "Cedar Lake Recreation Area." U. S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed August 9, 2015.
4. "Cedar Lake." Accessed August 9, 2015.
5. Hill, Steven. "New state record largemouth bass, March 18, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2016.