Oklahoma City officials plan to release water from Canton Lake later this month to replenish Lake Hefner after prolonged heat and dry conditions caused water levels to drop significantly.
The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the release, scheduled to begin Sept. 17. Lake Hefner is one of Oklahoma City’s primary water sources.
About 16,000 acre-feet of water is expected to be released from Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma. Engineers estimate the release will lower Canton Lake by about 3.5 feet while raising Lake Hefner by a little more than four feet.
The water will travel from Canton Lake down the North Canadian River to Lake Hefner. The first water from the release is expected to reach Hefner within three to five days, with the entire release taking about two weeks to complete.
It will be Oklahoma City’s first release from Canton Lake this year. The most recent release occurred in 2024.
The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust holds water-storage rights at Canton Lake and coordinates releases with the Canton Lake Advisory Committee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other state and local partners.
Officials said the process is designed to balance Oklahoma City’s water needs with the effects a release can have on Canton Lake, including recreation and wildlife.
“We are grateful for the partnership and expertise that go into planning a release of this kind,” OKC Utilities Director and Water Utilities Trust General Manager Chris Browning said. “That collaboration helps us make responsible decisions that protect the reliability of Oklahoma City’s water supply while remaining mindful of the communities, recreation and natural resources surrounding Canton Lake.”