The 6,000 acre (24 km²) lake is the centerpiece of Lake Thunderbird State Park. Main article: Lake Thunderbird State Park The water temperature was 59.5 degrees, the wind was 17-20 mph, gusts from 25-30 mph.įish species stocked at the lake include large-mouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, white bass, and saugeye. Long distance swim: On Aplocal swimmer Piers Hale swam the length of the lake, covering a distance of 16,800 yards in 6 hours and 10 minutes. Some 'winter swimmers' even swim throughout the colder months. Regular weekly organized open water swimming events are organized by the Triathlon Club of Oklahoma City in partnership with the Lake Thunderbird Boathouse from the end of April through to the end of September each year. Little Sandy is protected by a buoy-line about 50 yards from the shore that prevents boat access, Zoom Beach has a designated swimming area with buoys indicating 'no boats' allowed. There are a number of specified swimming beaches at Lake Thunderbird, including Zoom Beach and Little Sandy. The Boathouse Organization in cooperation with the Lake Thunderbird Education Foundation make possible several events throughout the year, including sailing lessons, sailing camps for children, an annual fishing derby for developmentally disabled children, sanctioned sailboat races, and fun regattas. The lake has two marinas and a boathouse that are operated and maintained by the Lake Thunderbird Boathouse volunteer organization. Lake Thunderbird is a venue for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. The Bureau owns the dam, which is operated by the local Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District. The earthen dam has a height of 144 feet and impounds 171,400 acre-feet of water. The dam and lake were completed in 1965 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Oklahoma State Highway 9 was re-routed in 1963 from present-day Alameda Street to its current location, south of the lake. A feasibility study in 1954 led to a plan report in May 1961, and construction began on Norman Dam in 1962. In 1953 the issue of water supply was raised among a council of local governments consisting of Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Moore and Tinker Air Force Base, and it was forecast that by the 1970s and 1980s the cities would be requiring all available water to meet municipal demand. The Little River valley was the subject of several Army United States Army Corps of Engineers studies in 19 for flood control. Many locals commonly refer to the lake as "Lake Dirtybird" due to the very murky lake water. The lake is named for the Native American legend of the Thunderbird, a supernatural bird of power and strength. In addition to being a source for drinking water, Lake Thunderbird's secondary uses include numerous recreational activities. It is formed by an earthfill embankment ( dam) 7,300 feet (2,200 m) long and up to 144 feet (44 m) high on the Little River. The lake was constructed between 19 for the purpose of providing municipal water to the nearby communities of Del City, Midwest City and Norman. Lake Thunderbird is a reservoir located in Norman, Oklahoma.
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