Polecat Creek (Arkansas River tributary)
| Polecat Creek | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Ground water |
| • location | Drumright, Oklahoma |
| • coordinates | 35°57′31″N 96°31′33″W / 35.9586811°N 96.5258477°W[1] |
| • length | 65.19 miles (104.91 km) |
| Mouth | Arkansas River |
• location | Jenks, Oklahoma |
• coordinates | 36°00′26″N 95°57′24″W / 36.0073184°N 95.9566603°W |
| Basin size | 370.1 sq mi (959 km2) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Arkansas→ Mississippi→ Gulf of Mexico |
| Population | 77,858[2]: 11 |
| Waterbodies | Heyburn Lake |
Polecat Creek is a 65.19 miles (104.91 km)-long[2]: 5 stream in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is a tributary of the Arkansas River.
Flood control
Since the twentieth century, flood control within the Polecat Creek watershed has been a concern for local residents. In 1950, the United States Army Corps of Engineers built Heyburn Lake as a flood control reservoir at a cost of $2.5 million.[3] The reservoir also supplies water to the region and is used for recreation.[2]: 10 In recent decades, flood events have led to greater concerns. A flood in 2000 damaged around 300 structures in the city of Sapulpa, with an estimated $12 million in damage. The Army Corps proposed a study of the watershed in 2012, but it failed to receive government funding.[4]
Watershed
The creek drains a 370.1 square miles (959 km2) watershed across three counties in Oklahoma: Creek, Okmulgee, and Tulsa.[2]: 5 The entirety of the city of Sapulpa, along with almost all of Jenks and Glenpool, are included in the watershed. Part of the city of Tulsa is also included.[2]: 10
References
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Polecat Creek
- ^ a b c d e INCOG Environmental and Energy Planning Division (May 2018). Characteristics of the Polecat Creek Watershed (PDF). Tulsa: INCOG. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ "History of Heyburn Lake". US Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District Website. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ "Polecat Creek Fact Sheet" (PDF). US Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District Website. U.S. Army Corps Engineers, Tulsa District. February 6, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2025.