Bitter Creek Dam - Watonga, OK
Posted by: 
The Snowdog
N 35° 56.615 W 098° 25.272
14S E 552203 N 3977845
This dam, across Bitter Creek, forms Watonga Lake at the center of Roman Nose State Park - north of Watonga, Oklahoma.
Waymark Code: WM16HEZ
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 08/04/2022
Views: 0
What is now Roman Nose State Park began at the "Old Cronkhite Ranch" on Bitter Creek and was planned as a recreational area. In 1925 the Cronkhite family set to work on the site, which was to offer swimming, boating, fishing, golf, and other recreational areas. This 40' dam across Bitter Creek formed the fifteen-acre Watonga lake, which is about thirty-five feet deep at the dam. However, tragedy struck - a family member drowned here - and the Cronkhites sold the unfinished resort to the City of Watonga in 1935, which in turn gave the land to the then-new State Parks Department. The Civilian Conservation Corps assisted in completing the project and Roman Nose State Park became one of the seven original State Parks. A hiking trail takes visitors from the picnic areas northwest of the lake across the dam and over to the mesa.
Waterway where the dam is located: Bitter Creek
Main use of the Water Dam: Recreation Area
Material used in the structure: embankment
Height of Dam: 40
Date built: 01/01/1925
Fishing Allowed: yes
Motor Sports Allowed: no
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