Overview
Broken Bow Lake is a roughly 14,200-acre reservoir on the Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County, about nine miles northeast of Broken Bow in southeastern Oklahoma. It was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Broken Bow Dam; the conservation pool filled in 1970. The project provides flood risk management, hydroelectric power, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits in the Little River basin.
With about 220 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth near 169 feet, Broken Bow is one of Oklahoma's deepest and clearest lakes, framed by Ouachita Mountain forest, steep rocky banks, and long creek arms. Beavers Bend State Park and surrounding public lands keep much of the shoreline scenic and lightly developed compared with plains reservoirs.
The lake is a premier destination for smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, as well as striped bass, crappie, and trout in the Mountain Fork tailwater. Fisheries are managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, with Corps and state park campgrounds, marinas, and ramps supporting heavy recreational use.
Water levels are managed by the Corps under a seasonal conservation pool near 599.5 feet above mean sea level (NGVD29), with flood-control storage extending to 627.5 feet. Power generation and flood operations can move the pool, so monitoring current lake levels is important for boating, fishing, and dock access—especially alongside sister Mountain Fork / Little River projects such as Hugo Lake downstream in the broader Red River system.
Current Conditions
Broken Bow Lake is currently 2.79 feet below full pool and has been falling over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 1.47 ft
- 30-day changeDown 5.16 ft
- Drought conditionsAbnormally Dry
- Active advisories3 active (Advisory)
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Broken Bow Lake is a 14,200-acre reservoir on the Mountain Fork River managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.