News Release Archive

Lake Thunderbird at Historic Highs

Media Contact: Kimberly Parish, (512) 284-0137, kparish@usbr.gov

For Release: May 24, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Due to heavy rainfall in Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties, the water level at Lake Thunderbird is at a record high elevation of 1052.95 feet. The portion of Lake Thunderbird storage designated for flood control has filled to capacity, and the reservoir is currently operating at a level designated as "surcharge storage." Reservoir elevation may continue to rise as a result of runoff from overnight rainfall, and could rise higher if rain continues.

In accordance with the Standing Operating Procedures for Norman Dam and Lake Thunderbird, the Bureau of Reclamation directed the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District to begin increasing the water release rate from Lake Thunderbird at 6 am on Sunday morning. The maximum release rate will be 8,800 cubic feet per second (cfs) by 1 pm on Sunday, and will continue at that rate for several days until reservoir levels recede.

Norman Dam and Lake Thunderbird are operating and performing exactly as designed. Inflow into Lake Thunderbird peaked at almost 60,000 cfs at 1:00 am on Sunday morning, and Lake Thunderbird captured these extreme inflows, preventing more severe downstream flooding.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Oklahoma-Texas Area Office Home Page