Tenkiller Ferry Lake, or more simply, Lake Tenkiller, is a reservoir in eastern Oklahoma formed by the damming of the Illinois River. The earth-fill dam was constructed between 1947 and 1952 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for purposes of flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply and recreation. It went into full operation in 1953. The lake and dam were named for the Tenkiller family, prominent Cherokees who owned the land and ferry that were bought for the project. This is the 6th largest lake in Oklahoma, based on water capacity.
Tenkiller Ferry Lake and Dam
Illinois River (Oklahoma)
The Illinois River is a 145-mile-long (233 km) tributary of the Arkansas River in the U.S. states of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Osage Indians named it Ne-eng-wah-kon-dah, which translates as "Medicine Stone River". The state of Oklahoma has designated its portion as a Scenic River.
The Illinois River, seen here in the upper stretches of Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Eastern (upstream) side of the Illinois River Bridge, which spans the Illinois River east of Siloam Springs in the Ozark National Forest portion of Benton County, Arkansas, United States. Built in 1922, this concrete deck arch bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.