Deep Fork River - Course and Characteristics

Course and Characteristics

The Deep Fork begins in the storm cellars of northern Oklahoma City and flows eastward through Oklahoma County where five miles of the river is impounded by Arcadia Lake. Below the lake the river crosses into Lincoln county, winds back and forth across the Creek–Okfuskee county lines, crosses Okmulgee County, and into Eufaula Lake near the Okmulgee–McIntosh county line. Communities along the waterway are Arcadia, Luther, Wellston, Warwick, Sparks, and Welty. It is impounded by Arcadia Reservoir and by Eufaula Lake. Near Okmulgee, the river meanders through the 9,600-acre (39 km2) Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge.

The Deep Fork has a total length of 370 kilometres (230 mi) and has a long narrow drainage basin averaging 40 kilometres (25 mi) in width. The Deep Fork flows through a region of red sandstone hills and red soils and the river is of the same color. The river is channelized in its upper course. The Deep Fork runs in a narrow channel, about 100 feet (30 mts) wide at normal flow, frequently obstructed by fallen trees, and often enclosed by steep red clay banks as high as 100 feet (30 mts). The river is prone to flooding, especially in its lower course where it is bordered by an extensive area of wetlands, temporary and oxbow lakes, and a deciduous bottom land forest, some of which is included in the Deep Fork NWR. The upper courses of the river are usually bordered by a narrow band of forest.

The Deep Fork is popular for fishing, especially for large flathead catfish. Water quality is considered fair in most of the river. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular. The National Wildlife Refuge has walking trails and blinds for wildlife observation and features a large number of waterfowl and other birds, both migratory and permanent.