Lake Jed Johnson, named for Jed Johnson (1888–1963), is third largest of thirteen small reservoirs in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, located in southwestern Oklahoma. Lawton, Oklahoma, southeast of the lake and the fourth largest city in the state, is the nearest major population center. Smaller communities of Cache, Medicine Park and Meers lie north of the lake.

Lake Jed Johnson
Location of Lake Jed Johnson in Oklahoma, USA.
Location of Lake Jed Johnson in Oklahoma, USA.
Lake Jed Johnson
Location of Lake Jed Johnson in Oklahoma, USA.
Location of Lake Jed Johnson in Oklahoma, USA.
Lake Jed Johnson
LocationWichita Mountains, Comanche County, Oklahoma, US
Coordinates34°43′45″N 98°36′0″W / 34.72917°N 98.60000°W / 34.72917; -98.60000
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsBlue Beaver Creek
Primary outflowsBlue Beaver Creek
Catchment area5.35 sq mi (13.9 km2)
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Built1940 (1940)
Surface area57.5 acres (23.3 ha)
Water volume1,190 acre⋅ft (0.00147 km3)
Surface elevation1,608 feet (490 m)
SettlementsCache, Medicine Park, Meers
References[1][2]

General description

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Created in 1940 by the construction of the concrete Jed Johnson Dam across Blue Beaver Creek in Comanche County, Oklahoma, Lake Jed Johnson has a surface area of 57.5 acres (233,000 m2). Its primary purpose is preservation of wildlife habitat. and can be accessed by a boat ramp. Fishing is allowed, using hand-powered boats or other boats less than 14 feet (4.3 m) long and powered with trolling motors.[3]

The surrounding area is home to deer, elk, Longhorn cattle and bison, and there are many opportunities for boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking throughout the refuge.[3]

Tower and trail

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The Jed Johnson Tower sits atop a hill near the lake. It is a former fire watch station that was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1941, before the U.S. formally entered World War II. Now abandoned, it is not open to visitors, reportedly because it is considered structurally unsound. The tower is approximately 60 feet (18 m) tall.[4]

The tower can be accessed using the Jed Johnson Trail, which is a 1 mile (1.6 km) long out-and-back trail from the lake shore. Primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips, the trail has an elevation gain of 68 feet (21 m) and is accessible year-round. Users may bring along dogs, but only if they are on leash at all times.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Varghese, Saji (1998). "Hydrologic Investigation of Red River Basin" (pdf). Oklahoma Water Resources Board. OK.gov - Oklahoma State Portal. pp. 76, 78. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  2. ^ "Blue Beaver Creek near Cache, Oklahoma (Station 07311200)". Hydrologic Benchmark Network ~ U.S. Geological Survey. U.S. Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ a b "Lake Jed Johnson Dam - Wichita Mountains Refuge, OK." Waymarking. May26, 2015. Accessed May 23, 2018.
  4. ^ “Jed Johnson Lake/Central Peak, February 21, 2015”. Accessed May 23, 2018
  5. ^ "Jed Johnson Tower Trail." All Trails. Undated. Accessed May 23, 2018
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