Canton Lake water release to replenish Lake Hefner

Published on September 04, 2026

Release to boost OKC's primary water source

The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (OCWUT) is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to draw water from Canton Lake in northwest Oklahoma. The water is needed to help increase water levels at Lake Hefner, which serves as a primary water source for the City of Oklahoma City.

The Canton release is scheduled for Sept. 17. This will be the first water release OCWUT has made from Canton Lake this year, with the most recent release occurring in 2024.

The continued hot temperatures and dry weather conditions have caused water levels at Lake Hefner to drop significantly. The anticipated 16,000-acre-foot release is expected to lower Canton Lake by about three and a half feet and raise Hefner’s water level by a little over four feet, according to Corps and Trust engineers. The water will travel down the North Canadian River to Lake Hefner, with the first signs of water expected to arrive within three to five days of the release beginning. The full release is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

OCWUT holds water-storage rights at Canton Lake and coordinates planned releases with the Canton Lake Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Canton Lake Association and appropriate state and local partners, including the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. This coordination helps ensure releases are scheduled and managed in a way that supports Oklahoma City’s water supply needs while considering potential effects on Canton Lake, recreation and wildlife.

“We are grateful for the partnership and expertise that go into planning a release of this kind,” said OCWUT General Manager and OKC Utilities Director Chris Browning. “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.”

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Media Contact: Jasmine Morris, (405) 297-1950, jasmine.morris@okc.gov